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A Child of Israel. 

A NOVEL. 

BY EDOUARD CADOL. 

i * 

TRANSLATED FROM. THE FRENCH 

: BY Xi^TJlEXA. XX XXXUnTMD^XjIj. 




“A Child of Israel,” by Edouard Cadol , is a powerful and deeply interesting 
romance of the heart. The plot is in the highest degree ingenious and original, while 
th e skill with which it is unfolded is simply astonishing. It hinges on the love of 
Louise Vaconsin de Bovilliers for Pierre IVavre, a gifted young Jewish artist, who 
comes to her father’s ch 2 tea u to paint her portrait, and the close association thus 
brought about causes friendship to ripen into the tender passion. Louise , however, 
discovers that Pierre is an Israelite , and is filled with horror. Afterwards , the 
Count d Aitignies marries her for her money and renders her miserable. She in 
vain struggles to be released from her bonds, but the manner in which she ultimately 
obtains relief, and the part filled in her after life by the manly Jewish artist, should 
be learned from the book itself, for in this brief notice it is impossible to do justice to 
Cadol’ s powerful plot and absorbing narrative. There is a dramatic intensity about 
the tale, the spell of which cannot be resisted, and the situations are wrought up to 
the highest point of absorbing interest , while every character is sketched in exception- 
ally vivid colors. Cadol never wastes a word — he pushes his story straight ahead, 
without introducing a single incident not required to make matters perfectly clear to 
the reader ; hence there is nothing to break the continuity of the delightful romance, 
which has been admirably translated by Laura E. Kendall. “A Child of Israel " 
cannot fail to make a pronounced sensation. 



PHILADELPHIA: 

T. B. PETERSON & BROTHERS; 
306 CHESTNUT STREET. 


*- 





COPYRIGHT. 

T. 33- PETERSON &a BROTHERS. 

1882. 


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CONTENTS 




Chapter Page 

I. THE WINNER OF THE PRIZE OF ROME ... 21 

II. THE CHATEAU DE BOVILLIERS 24 

HI. “WHAT CHARMING PEOPLE !” 31 

IV. A TELLTALE LETTER 40 

Y. A SLIGHT ADVENTURE 46 

VI. A STRANGE STORY OF YEARS GONE BY. . . 53 

VII. A REVELATION 57 

VIII. MENTAL CONFLICTS 70 

IX. A RECONCILATION 79 

X. A NEW STAR IN THE RELIGIOUS FIRMAMENT 87 

XI. “THE VERY HUSBAND I WOULD HAVE 

SELECTED FOR YOU.” 98 

XH. ETIENNE GRELLA 117 

XIII. A SYMPATHIZING FRIEND 129 

XIV. THE ARTIST’S HOME 138 

XV. AN UNEXPECTED MEETING 153 

XVI. UNHEEDED WARNINGS 161 

( 19 ) 


CONTENTS 


20 

Chapter Pa^e 

XVII. AN UNPLEASANT PREDICAMENT 177 

XVIII. THE MARRIAGE 190 

xix. “baby’s return.” 201 

XX. A TRIFLING MISTAKE AND ITS CONSE- 
QUENCES 210 

XXI. A STRANGE AVOWAL 218 

XXII. THE MYSTERY EXPLAINED 228 

xxm. a crisis 241 

XXIV. NO HOPE OF AID 258 

XXV. A HAZARDOUS SCHEME 276 

xxvi. grella’s revenge 288 

XXVII. “ FOR WHATSOEVER A MAN SOWETH 

THAT SHALL HE ALSO REAP.” 295 

XXVIII. UNITED AT LAST ! 309 


’> 


\ 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL 


CHAPTER I. 

THE WINNER OF THE PRIZE OF ROME. 

T O Colonel Morseux of the 3 d Artillery . Grenoble . 

Trouville, August 2 6th, 187-. 

So your promotion has come at last, my dear 
Nephtali. The Gazette has just reached us, and 
behold, you are a Colonel. How proud we are of 
Frenchmen ! 

Your wife is dancing about the room for joy; and 
your two babies who understand nothing at all about 
it, and who fear she has gone mad, gaze at their uncle 
in speechless bewilderment from the corner of the sofa, 
as if asking whether they should laugh or cry. 

Whereupon, my too excitable sister bursts into a fit 
of sobbing which sets all four of us to embracing each 
other like so many fools, while we mingle our tears 
together. You can certainly boast, Monsieur Colonel, 
of having received from my hand, the most affectionate 

( 21 ) 


22 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


wife in the universe. Do not neglect to thank me at 
the first opportunity. 

But I scarcely know when that will be ; for even if 
you come with the greatest possible despatch, you will 
not find me under your roof ; a fact which grieves our 
good Magdalene not a little. But what can you expect, 
O magnanimous warrior? The pension I receive as the 
winner of the prize of Rome expires this year, and 
Trouville is not the place to amass the fortune to which 
my position of laureate entitles me. 

To speak seriously, I am expected at the chateau of 
a rich connoisseur in Picardy, who has a commission of 
about thirty thousand francs for me, ceilings, walls, and 
perhaps a portrait besides. I am to be there on the 
first of September, and as I must first spend a few days 
in Paris, you see it will be impossible for me to remain 
with Magadalene and the children until your return. 

It breaks my heart, as you may readily suppose, to 
think that I shall not have an opportunity to press 
your hand and thank you for the happiness you have 
conferred upon my little sister. It would be so delight- 
ful to spend a whole month more with you. I have 
enjoyed myself infinitely here. This crowd of idlers 
amuses me exceedingly. The airs of the fine ladies 
who frequent the promenade ; the amusing conceit of 
the bald-headed gentlemen ; the interminable waltzes 
at the Casino ; the races at Deauville, and the frantic 
flirtations that are carried on under the very eyes of 
the grandmammas, all this rests my mind ; but the 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


23 


terrible necessity of wearing patent leather shoes and 
kid gloves drives me away. One must respect one’s 
self and uphold the dignity of labor. So away ! 

I have exhausted all the excuses for remaining that 
I can think of, my good Nephtali, and can not help 
ridiculing myself when I try to invent others ; so with 
drooping head, I shall take the train to-morrow, imme- 
diately after breakfast, and when you receive this letter, 
I shall be rushing along at the rate of forty miles an 
hour, towards my studio. So farewell. 

Do not tarry long. Society here is a little mixed, 
and Magdalene does not think she ought to go out 
much alone. Not that she wants for chaperones; 
besides, her two babies are an all-sufficient safeguard : 
but she has all our old prejudices, and prefers to remain 
at home if, in default of a brother’s arm, she can not 
lean upon that of her husband. So make haste, if you 
do not wish her to immure herself within the walls of 
your villa. 

******_ 

After September 1st, address my letters, 

Care Baron Vaconsin de Bovilliers : 

Chateau de Bovilliers , 

Bovilliers , Via Mesnil-St.-Firmin ( Oise'), 

With sincere regards, 

Your affectionate scapegrace of a brother-in-law, 

Pierre Wavre. 


24 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


CHAPTER II. 


THE CHATEAU DE BOVILLIERS. 
t HE train that bore Pierre to the chateau de Bovil- 



X tiers the following Sunday, was three hours behind 
time. A short distance from Creil, part of the engine 
broke, and two cars were thrown from the track. 
Women uttered piercing shrieks ; men swore like 
pirates ; the employes hustled one another about, and 
there was a great rumpus, at the end of which, it was 
ascertained that no one had received a scratch. 

On stepping out upon the platform at Breteuil, Pierre 
saw a tall footman who, after approaching and address- 
ing him by name in a questioning manner, relieved him 
of his valise and conducted him to a victoria which 
was drawn up at the entrance to the station. 

The vehicle was perfect in style and in appointments, 
and the horse, a superb blooded animal, was champing 
its bit and foaming with impatience, while the coach- 
man had all he could do to restrain it. This English 
coachman was an equally superb specimen in his way ; 
he sat as rigidly erect as the letter I, with his whip 
planted on his thigh, and with his lower jaw so firmly 
encased in a tall, stiff linen collar, that he could not 
have turned his head for all the gold of Peru. 

Pierre once comfortably seated, the footman sprang 


25 


A CHILD OF ISKAEL'; 

upon the box, the coachman uttered a brief command 
in English, and the animal started off on a swinging 
trot. 

The chateau de Bovilliers is six good miles from 
Breteuil, and the country through which one must 
pass to reach it, is not so picturesque in its character 
as to shorten the distance. One sees only plains and 
fields, with an occasional bit of woods, and everywhere 
a profusion of stunted apple trees so loaded with fruit 
that the branches almost touch the ground. 

The day was drawing to a close ; all the birds were 
silent save the larks, who occasionally dropped a 
clear note from the glowing clouds dyed a brilliant 
crimson by the setting sun, though from time to time 
the sharp report of some persevering sportsman’s rifle 
startled the horse, which was quickly reduced to sub- 
jection by an imperious word from the coachman. The 
dim light, the restful silence and the monotony of the 
landscape, all inclined the young man to reflection. 

Once more he fancied himself a boy in the smoky 
shop of his now deceased father, a worthy Hollander 
who had entered France years before with his pack 
upon his back, carrying the linen and embroideries 
of his native land from door to door. In imagina- 
tion, Pierre saw the good man admitted at most only 
to the servant’s hall* of the chateau which his son 
was about to enter as an equal. When he thought of 
this, a sort of timidity seized him. High as was the 
estimate which he had justly formed of his artistio 


26 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


talent, and brilliant as were bis future prospects, he 
was nevertheless a little surprised at the respect and 
consideration these people of rank accorded him, for he 
felt himself to be a very insignificant person in compari- 
son with these strangers whom he regarded as individu- 
als of a superior order — the cream of society. 

Just at nightfall the carriage passed through a mas- 
sive gateway; the wheels creaked noisily on the fine 
gravel, and through the shrubbery Pierre caught occa- 
sional glimpses of light from a doorway before which 
the horse soon stopped. 

Thanks to the flambeaus held by two powdered 
lackeys, the young man could see advancing towards 
him, bareheaded and smoking a cigar, a tall gentleman, 
very distinguished in appearance, with a frank, open 
face : the master of the house. 

“So you have come at last, my dear sir,” he ex- 
claimed, descending a few steps, with outstretched 
hands and smiling lips. “ What befell you on the 
way ? ” 

Pierre briefly informed him of the accident near 
Creil. 

“ The ladies were beginning to be anxious,” remarked 
his host. 

Then taking him by the arm, he added : 

“ Come, allow me to present you to them, after which 
I will keep you company at dinner. You must be 
nearly famished.” 

The drawing room which Pierre entered on the arm 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


27 


of his host had four large windows overlooking a park, 
the vast extent of which was evident even in the twi- 
light. Six large candelabra filled with candles only 
dimly lighted this apartment, so great was its size, but 
at one end of.it, a bay window hung with heavy cur- 
tains formed a sort of boudoir, adorned with hot-house 
plants, whose luxuriant green foliage was clearly visible 
in the brilliant light that illuminated this cosy nook. 
Here, four persons, two ladies and two priests, were 
seated. 

The elder of the ladies was short and very stout, 
with an immense bust, though she was so tightly laced 
that there seemed to be imminent danger of her break- 
ing in two. She was still quite youthful and attractive 
in appearance, dressed with great care, and was as neat 
and shining as a new penny: Madame la Baronne 
Vaconsin de Bovilliers ; nee Antoinette de Belencour. 

The other, aged about twenty, a brunette, with clear 
honest eyes, and radiant with all the beauty and grace 
of girlhood, was Mademoiselle Louise Yaconsin de 
Bovilliers. 

Between the two abbds there was a singular contrast. 

The one whose cassock was ornamented with a 
broad, distinguS and almost coquettish band of violet, 
had a superb head. A mass of white hair contrasted so 
effectively with his dark brown eyes that one felt 
rather inclined to suspect that he had pulled out the 
black ones. He had a finely cut nose, of irreproach- 
able contour, whose mobile nostrils quivered with the 


28 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


slightest emotion ; scarlet lips that displayed firm white 
teeth like those of a pretty female gourmand, in a 
smile so sweet, artless and winning that any English- 
woman would have been tempted to become a convert 
merely for the pleasure of confessing her peccadilloes 
to this good father. A canon of graceful form, and 
without a darn in his clothing, but not a shade 
more haughty on that account, he was also a crafty 
itian who had taken hold of his profession by the 
right end. He was a missionary, a sort of home mis- 
sionary and travelling preacher, who published his 
sermons in book form, — his sermons and other writings, 
which yielded him a handsome living while waiting for 
the Nunciature to make him a bishop, but at present 
simply Abbe Remondat, a pure blooded Auvergnat. 

His confrere, the exact opposite of him in every 
respect, a tall, sallow, angular and ungainly man, with 
hair as black as a raven’s wing, and clad in a thread- 
bare cassock, was the officiating priest at Bovilliers. He 
was the son of the village schoolmaster who, having no 
other child, had sent him to the seminary in order to 
keep him out of the army: and to look at him, one 
would have judged that the poor wretch had a grudge 
against the entire human race. 

This was a great mistake, however. M. Lahoulotte, 
for that was the curate’s name, felt animosity only 
towards himself, never having forgiven himself for his 
folly in taking orders ; but he reserved his charity for 
his neighbor, promising heaven to all who sought it, 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


29 


for his was a nature which could no more admit the 
existence of a hell than the infallibility of our Holy 
Father the Pope, whom he called Pius IX., Leon X., or 
Alexander VI. 

He was a resigned sufferer, who iii spite of the exam- 
ple of the blessed Saint Laurent, did not even turn 
upon his gridiron. “ Where the goat is tethered, there 
must it browse,” lie said to himself; and he did browse 
upon whatever came in his way, neglecting not even 
the most trivial duty. 

On Philip’s entrance, he was the only person to rise, 
not through obsequiousness to the master of a house 
where he had dined luxuriously, but from a natural 
courtesy. Besides, the young man’s appearance im- 
pressed him favorably at the first glance. 

There is no doubt whatever that Pierre possessed 
the gift of inspiring sympathy. A trifle above medium 
height he was, as artists say, “ in proportion and it is 
a universal law that all animals and men who are “in 
proportion,” or to use a common expression, well built, 
are graceful in attitude and in movement. 

His brow bore the seal of genius; his eyes were 
unusually large, and the long lashes which shaded 
them imparted to them the velvety softness that char- 
acterizes those of the natives of India ; his silky hair 
waved naturally, and the clear, olive tint of his com- 
plexion contrasted strikingly with his soft, curling- 
black beard. A handsome fellow, but not of the type 
that makes one question the existence of any intellec- 


SO A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 

tual faculties; on the contrary, his was a face that 
beamed with animation, wit and intelligence. 

The Baroness extended her hand in response to his 
bow. 

“ You must make yourself quite at home, sir,” she 
said graciously. u Dine first, and then rest ; we will 
make each other’s acquaintance, to-morrow.” 

Louise favored him with her sweetest smile, and the 
canon gayly rallied him on the fear he must have felt 
on seeing the cars jostle each other. 

As for Abbe Lahoulotte, after exchanging saluta- 
tions with the new comer, he inquired if the smoke of 
a cigar would mar the pleasure of his repast ; and the 
young man having assured him to the contrary, he fol- 
lowed him and the baron into the dining room, where 
Pierre found his dinner awaiting him. 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


31 


CHAPTER III. 


“WHAT CHARMING PEOPLE!” 



•HE son of an army contractor under the First 


1 Empire, who had been ennobled by the founder of 
the dynasty as a reward for not having stolen as much 
as many others, Pierre’s host was certainly a baron, 
and even more incontestably a Vaconsin, but not in 
the least a Bovilliers. 

Having become the owner of the chateau in the 
village of that name, — thanks to his wife’s dowry, — he 
had begun by signing himself Baron Vaconsin (of 
Bovilliers), then he omitted the parenthesis, and now 
signed himself : “ Baron V. de Bovilliers.” 

Not that he attached any importance to it ; but the 
baroness had begged him to do so, and he could scarcely 
refuse her a pleasure that cost him so little effort. 
After all, had she not bestowed upon him the only 
thing he cared for in the world, the opulence to which 
he felt he was justly entitled, and whose charm he 
appreciated all the more from the fact that he had been 
deprived of it early in life, first through his father’s 
dissipation, and afterwards by his own extravagance. 

It certainly did not follow, because he cheated the 
government less than some of his brother contractors, 
that the first Baron Vaconsin should have come off 


32 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


empty-handed; but the return of the Bourbons grieved 
him so profoundly, that for fear of falling into a state 
of melancholy, the worthy man plunged into excesses 
which made a very sensible diminution in the savings 
with which his son had supposed he would be able to 
alleviate his grief for the loss of his father. Neverthe- 
less, having been reared in the same school, when he 
came into possession of such property as his parent had 
not been able to squander, the young baron continued 
to live so well, that one morning his lawyer informed 
him that he had received the last penny of his 
inheritance. 

Any other person would have experienced some 
anxiety, but he was too much of a philosopher. From 
the very first, he gave up all idea of earning his living 
in any way whatsoever. His was too haughty a soul 
to stoop to such degradation ; besides, he was assured 
by his friends that he possessed certain personal attrac- 
tions which, together with his title of Baron, could not 
fail to relieve him of his embarrassment by means of a 
wealthy marriage. 

It was not very difficult for him to believe this, for 
he was really an attractive person in every sense of the 
word, tall, handsome, a superb rider, an indefatigable 
sportsman, a skillful leader of the German and the 
possessor of incomparable genius as an inventor of 
pleasure parties. 

What more could one desire? How could a man 

thus fortunately endowed find any difficulty in extri- 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL, 


33 


eating himself from financial trouble through some one 
of the many heiresses who are, as every one knows, 
created for the express purpose of replenishing the 
purses of noblemen who have squandered their pat- 
rimony. 

Still, it was not a favorable opportunity for opera- 
tions of that sort. The advocates of electoral reform 
were harassing good M. Guizot so badly, that not 
knowing what was about to happen, wealthy families 
hesitated to dower their daughters. The Revolution 
of ’48 put a stop to this entirely, and for some time 
after the Coup d’Etat, fathers dowered only such 
daughters as threatened to remain on their hands 
indefinitely, unless they untied their purse strings. 
But after the establishment of the Second Empire 
some of his father’s old friends reappeared as if by 
enchantment, people of importance now, rolling along 
in their carriages, keeping open house, and making hay 
while the sun shone, particularly at the Bourse, and 
favorably disposed towards every body and every thing 
in any way connected with the First Empire. 

Consequently, the son of the former contractor had 
only to show himself, to become a prominent member 
of the band. His name was enough. 

Still, none of the positions offered him were sat- 
isfactory. 

“Why should you marvel at it?” he would reply. 
“I am not in a position to make a suitable appearance 
at Court, or to represent the imperial government 
2 


34 


A CHILD OF ISHAEL. 


properly. Ah ! if I had only married earlier. It is too 
late now, you see, to think of that.” 

His friends sneered at these objections, and as 
many of the old nobility, weary of sulking unnoticed, 
were beginning to make overtures to the new dynast}', 
the daughter of a Marquis de Belencour who coveted 
a seat in the Senate was regarded as a very suitable 
bride for the gentleman. The father welcomed the 
suggestion with marked enthusiasm ; but the daughter 
protested loudly. “ A paltry baron of the Empire for 
her? A Belencour wed a Vaeonsin? Impossible!” 

But her father, the Marquis, wishing to be a senator 
at any price, forced her to swallow the pill in spite of 
her mortification. 

But she at least had her revenge. Realizing that 
her husband was essentially a pleasure seeker, she 
attempted to dissuade him from employing their for- 
tune in giving prestige to the government. She was 
pretty ; she still had for him the charm of novelty, and 
her triumph was the more complete from the fact that 
the baron, though fond of authority, felt no desire to 
be hampered with restraints which must, it seemed to 
him, be extremely tiresome and unpleasant to such 
persons as were obliged to submit to them by reason 
of official position. 

As a natural consequence, his noble protectors 
ceased to interest themselves in him, which led to 
the ruin of his renegade father’s ambition ; and that 
nobleman felt such an intense chagrin at having 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


35 


betrayed his party and forsaken his principles for 
nothing, that he pined and died, to the secret delight of 
his son-in-law, who was happy to pocket the whole of 
his dupe’s property. 

Still, we must do the baron the justice to say, that 
without assuming the administrative harness, or the 
robes of a dignitary, he tripled their fortune within the 
brief space of two years. A handsome man, and a most 
agreeable companion, he ingratiated himself into the 
favor and intimate friendship of the magnates of the 
epoch. Morny never went into an enterprise without 
reserving a goodly slice for his friend ; Haussman 
never planned an improvement without he succeeded 
(how, we shall never know) in informing the baron 
that such or such a piece of property would soon be 
doubled in value. 

He was such a handsome fellow ! Copying one who 
at that time passed for the most accomplished of gen- 
tlemen, and the flower of chivalry and fashion, there 
was something in his careless freedom of speech, and 
in the disdainful carelessness of his manner that be- 
trayed the cynical indifference of a man whose battle 
has been fought and won. The result of all this was 
to win him considerable reputation as a wit. He felt 
so secure from any possible misfortune that he did not 
hesitate to ridicule the trials and perplexities of others : 
and certain newspapers chronicled his sayings with 
unwearied devotion. 

On the contrary, certain pamphlets published, in 


36 


A. CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


spite of the police, handled him very roughly, and 
exhibited the successful adventurer in his true colors. 
But he turned a deaf ear to all this, pretending to 
ignore the attacks of these miscreants. 

Ignore them ! how could he ? His wife did not neg- 
lect a single opportunity to place them directly under 
his nose, manifesting an indignation which she did not 
experience in the least, for on the contrary, she was 
very glad to wound this plebeian who had been forced 
upon her acceptance — this Vaconsin ennobled only 
yesterday by the Duke of Enghien’s assassin. 

Mile. Antoinette de B&lencour still hated her hus- 
band with a deadly hatred, and though she worshipped 
her children — she had not been able to avoid bringing 
two into the world — she detested their father all the 
more because he was their father. In fact, had it not 
been for her religious principles and the strict ultramon- 
tane education she had received, she would have infin- 
itely preferred that her son and daughter had derived 
their being from a different source ; and though fitted by 
nature for a peaceful domestic life, there was nothing 
annoying and painful that she did not wish her lord 
and master, for whom she continued to feel the greatest 
contempt in spite of the softening influences of time 
and maternity. On account of the ties that bound him 
to the prominent persons of the Second Empire, she 
openly rejoiced at its fall on the Fourth of September, 
though her companion in life paid no attention what- 
ever to her exultation. 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


37 


For what difference did the downfall of the Empire 
make to him, now? He had obtained all he desired: 
so if his wife thought to goad him to desperation 
by her expressions of delight, she was greatly mis- 
taken. 

Never since the creation of the world did a man and 
woman who had sworn to mutually love and honor 
each other, hate each other to such an extent. But the 
real state of affairs was apparent to no one. Even 
their children did not suspect it, and though the 
Baroness went to confession regularly every fortnight, 
and though she consulted Abbd R&nondat by letter 
or verbally when he was near at hand, upon the most 
trivial questions of duty, her feelings in regard to the 
Baron remained a sealed letter, a secret between her- 
self and her compassionate God. 

There is no doubt that Vaconsin himself suspected 
her feelings : but as his education forbade alike any 
scandal and any abusive words, and as he had his own 
way in all important matters, he paid but little attention 
to his wife’s systematic hostility. 

He allowed her, however, the greatest freedom in 
all matters that concerned herself and the government 
of her household. There had been a little trouble at 
first in regard to the children ; but that was of slight 
duration; the children yielding as easily to the influ- 
ence of the father as to that of the mother. 

The son entered Saint-Cyr, from which he emerged 
a second lieutenant in a regiment of Chasseurs. As 


38 


A CniLD OF ISRAEL. 


bitterly opposed to the Bonapartism of the father as to 
the legitimist opinions of the mother, his sympathies 
were with the men who had at least succeeded in 
saving the national honor in the explosion. 

As for Louise, her independence of character was an 
acknowledged fact. When she was only sixteen, her 
confessor having said a word too much, she announced 
her intention of working out her own salvation. The 
baron openly exulted ; the baroness was greatly scan- 
dalized ; and the brother talked of breaking the head of 
the man who had ventured to offend his sister ; but the 
young girl calmed her brother, embraced Madame An- 
toinette, nSe de BMencour, and begging her father not 
to persist, she held to her resolution though she sedu- 
lously avoided any further discussion on the subject. 
We repeat, a character. 

All this, which it is necessary to know in order to 
understand this story, our friend Pierre did not even 
suspect. Besides, he was one of those persons who go 
straight onward, believing what people tell them and 
making no effort to see the other side of the picture. 
Moreover, why should this particularly interest him ? 
Brought here by one definite object, what did the tem- 
perament of his hosts matter to him. He yas to regard 
them as customers, nothing more. If they treated him 
with courtesy that was all he had a right to ask. 

He had reason to be more than satisfied in this 
respect. On the very first evening, while keeping him 
company at the table, the baron chatted with a freedom 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


39 


and familiarity that the artist thought a little prema- 
ture, especially as his host’s very condescension gave 
the new-comer an impression of haughtiness ; but on 
his return to the drawing room, the baroness, her 
daughter and Abbe Rdmondat all treated him with 
such exquisite tact, that Pierre, entirely reassured, on . 
retiring to his room, mentally exclaimed: 

“ What charming people I ” 


40 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


CHAPTER IV. 


A TELLTALE LETTER 


T 


O Madame Morseux , 

Villa Belle-Air , Trouville, 


My Dearest Sister : 

It is three days since I reached the Chateau de 
Bovilliers, and as school boys say to their good parents, 
“ I now take my pen in hand in the hope that this will 
find you the same.” They seldom specify how, but the 
heart supplies the omission, divining the real meaning. 

This is a genuine chateau, my dear sister, that is to 
say, it realizes my conception of one, and of a delight- 
ful residence. There is no “ North Tower,” with 
recently fabricated ruins of dungeons, no guard-room, 
nor fosses, nor machicolations, nothing gloomy or fright- 
ful to poor wretches of my rank, Pariahs, released from 
slavery only yesterday. 

Imagine Malmaison in the midst of a park which, 
were it not for the absolute absence of any water 
course, might easily be mistaken for the favorite 
retreat of the Empress Josephine. 

But how differently the mansion is furnished ! 
There is nothing in the ponderous style of the Empire ; 
everything is elegant, harmonious, and comfortable to 
the last degree ! Wealth is a good thing after all I 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


41 


I was received with a cordiality that made me feel 
perfectly at ease from the very first. The Baron alone 
made me a little uncomfortable with his unceremoni- 
ous manner ; I had nor reached the hors d' oeuvres at 
dinner before he called me: “My dear fellow.” It 
seemed to me this was going a little too fast, and I 
felt tempted to tap him on the waistcoat and retort 
by calling him : “ Old gentleman.” 

But noticing that he applies the same title to the two 
abb£s who are staying here, I have ceased to feel sensi- 
tive on that score, and have come to the conclusion 
that it is merely a habit he contracted while frequent- 
ing the society of the magnates connected with the 
former Court, particularly that of Morny, whom he 
must have taken for a model and copied servilely in 
former years. Like the ex-President of the Chamber, 
he drawls, winks with a knowing air, as if to give peo- 
ple to understand that he says much less than he 
means, and affects the condescending affability of a 
grand seigneur , in spite of which the ass’s ear, or 
rather the parvenu peeps forth from under the lion’s 
skin. He is a man who has made himself comme il 
faut; blood is wanting. The effort betrays itself much 
oftener than lie supposes. 

With his wife, it is very different. She was born a 
lady, and she possesses the instinctive composure and 
the unaffected affability of a great lady. Heavens I 
how pretty she must have been. The very type of a 
court favorite. She has all the characteristics — the 


42 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


seductive grace, and that inclination to piety which, in 
the good old times when we ranked a little lower 
than spaniels — would have circumscribed her destiny 
between a palace and a Carmelite's cell. 

On the day following my arrival, they explained the 
work that was expected of me. It is well worth the 
trouble of coming ; there is a chance to distinguish 
one’s self. Another task which interests me quite as 
much, is the portrait of the daughter of the house, 
which I am to begin at once, as the architect is not yet 
ready for me. 

She is a young lady about twenty years of age, with 
remarkable eyes and an expression which it will be 
very difficult to catch, and even more difficult to fix 
upon canvas, so original is its character, so wonderful 
the play of expression. I am enchanted, and at the 
same time, a little intimidated b}^ my task. Not that I 
am inclined to doubt my skill, but under the condi- 
tions upon which I am to engage in the work, I 
must succeed at once. Consequently I am a trifle 
anxious. 

You cannot imagine, my dear child, what a difficult 
model this is. The features are already mine to such 
an extent that I could reproduce them from memory at 
night, without a light ; but there is a fire, an intelli- 
gence and vivacity in the face which frighten me. I 
must seize this in its flight; portray the spark that 
flashes in the eye; endow these features with the 
changeful charm of a bit of sun-lit sky that lies 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 43 

between two clouds flying before the breath of the 
tempest. 

I must accomplish this, however, if only to gratify 
my pride, of which you know I have my share ; I must 
fully satisfy myself. But see how foolish one can be ! 
The success I promise myself annoys me in advance, 
and before I even know that I shall attain it. It vexes 
me to think that if I make this portrait what it ought 
to be, and what I wish it to be, I shall be obliged to 
give it up, and that under no pretext whatever shall I 
be permitted to keep it, or even to see it again, how- 
ever much I may desire to do so. Authors are more 
fortunate ; their works remain with them, while with 
us, all that is completed passes from our hands forever. 
This portrait, in the perfecting of which, I shall expend 
all that is noblest and best in me ; my knowledge, my 
talent, all my genius, (in the sense that people of the 
present day use this word) will hang some day in the 
cabinet of a nobleman who has wedded this beautiful 
girl, but who will perhaps see in it only a piece of fur- 
niture, an article in the inventory of the personal 
estate belonging to his wife. 

Oh, the brute ! I begin to hate him now, this dolt 
for whom I am to work, and whose dupe I am, to all 
intents and purposes. Is it not enough and more than 
enough, that the original should be reserved for him ? 
There is one who will find it imprudent to call me 
“ my dear fellow.” 

But I forget that you will be utterly unable to 


44 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


understand my enthusiasm, since you have no idea of 
the charms that have excited it; and realty I must 
admit that to write so much about a person whom 
you will probably never meet is a poor way to induce 
you to share it. The practice of art leads to these 
weaknesses, these idiotic monologues. There have 
been times in former years when I paced the quais for 
hours, composing romances of which the Venus of Milo 
was the heroine. Twenty times, in imagination I have 
been her lover ; I have fought for her ; I have van- 
quished, and pitilessly crushed the hateful rivals born of 
my frenzied admiration. And yet, in all these absurd 
but delightful dreams, I never went so far as to reinvest 
her with her arms. But what would she have been 
without them ! 

Mile. Louise de Bovilliers has two, which are abso- 
lutely perfect in their classical contour. I have seen 
them on several occasions under sleeves of thin guipure 
which imparted to the skin the transparency of Italian 
marble. They are beautiful arms, my dear sister, and 
the Venus of Milo would be fortunate, indeed, to find 
any to equal them. 

You are laughing at me, are you not? And perhaps 
you are asking if I am not becoming mad. Ah, I can- 
not swear to the contrary. I assure you my head 
would be turned if I did not remember who I am. 

But I do remember, my dear, so you need have no 
fears. These are only the transports of an artist. 

To descend to reason at last. Mile, de Bovilliers is 


A. CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


45 


an accomplished young girl; in addition to rare 
beauty, she possesses a most affable nature, and like 
her mother, is endowed with that tact which renders 
one irresistibly attractive. So there is no reason why 
I should cease to talk of her. Do not entertain any 
absurd fancies, little sister. You know very well that 
I am no fool. It is the artist, you see, who is lost in 
admiration of this charming creature. 

Good night, my good Magdalene. It is two o’clock 
in the morning. I am going to bed to dream of the 
Venus of Milo with Mile. Louise’s arms, and to-morrow 
all this will be forgotten. 

Has Nephtali returned? Are you promenading the 
beach, leaning on his epauletted arm ? 

A thousand kisses for my nephews, telling them to 
return some to you, from 

Your Brother, 

Pierre Wayre. 


46 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


CHAPTER y. 


A SLIGHT ADVENTURE. 

EARLY every morning Louise sat for her portrait, 



A i a corner of the main drawing-room serving as a 
studio. Generally the baroness, the canon or a certain 
lady companion, who was never known to speak, occu- 
pied the adjoining boudoir, but the dimensions of the 
apartment in which Pierre was working, rendered the 
young people virtually alone. 

At first, Louise experienced intense embarrassment 
tinder the persistent and necessarily searching gaze of 
the artist. She thought she would soon become accus- 
tomed to it, since it was purely obligatory ; but she 
could not overcome the secret uneasiness it caused. 
This attentive and repeated scrutiny of each detail ; 
these eyes deliberately riveted upon the lines of her 
neck, her shoulders and her breast, caused her deep 
annoyance in spite of her reason and good sense. It 
even seemed to her there was an imaginary contact 
which she had not foreseen, and whose prolonged con- 
tinuance shocked her modesty. She almost fancied 
she could read a growing admiration ; something like 
a secret delight in the young artist’s eyes. 

To drive away this feeling, and divert the attention 
of the painter, she talked; and the careless tone in 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


47 


which he replied at last began to reassure her a little. 
Her extreme modesty ceased to take alarm : she forgot 
herself, and after that, she felt no constraint. Laugh- 
ter quickly breaks the ice between young people. The 
artist and Louise speedily became conscious of a 
mutual love of fun, and their witty sallies soon estab- 
lished between them a friendly familiarity which 
they enjoyed, and which surprised no one. 

The following Friday — a bad day for superstitious 
people — the baron proposed an excursion to a point 
of interest in the neighborhood, and about three o’clock 
the carriages were drawn up before the main entrance, 
and the party took their seats in them hap-hazard. 

Madame and Mile. Bovilliers took their places on the 
back seat of the barouche, and the lady companion on 
the seat opposite. 

“ Get in with the ladies,’’ the baron said to Pierre. 
“ I will take the abbes and the doctor with me in the 
phaeton.” 

The doctor was a physician from Breteuil who came 
to the chateau every Friday and spent the day, whether 
any one was ill there or not. 

The young artist found himself exactly opposite 
Louise. They had proceeded but a short distance 
when the carriage gave a sudden lurch. One of the 
horses, exhilarated perhaps by the pungent odor of the 
pines, began to caper and prance, pulling against the 
bit with all his might, and dragging his companion 
along in a zig-zag course which forced two of the 


48 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


wheels up an embankment on the side of the road; but 
the coachman, who understood his business, turned to 
his mistress and said : 

“ Have no fears Madame ; it is a mere trifle.” 

But even as he spoke, one of the lines broke, and the 
restive animal finding himself at liberty, started off in 
the direction of some ploughed fields, separated from 
the road only by a ditch filled with mud, in which the 
party ran an imminent risk of being spilled. 

In order to avoid disturbing the ladies, Pierre sprang 
out upon the carriage step, clambered upon the box, 
and from there, out upon the shaft, where, clinging to 
the horse’s mane with one hand, he pulled upon the 
bit with the other until he succeeded in reducing the 
refractory steed to subjection. 

The whole affair occupied scarcely ten seconds, and 
there is no society for the encouragement of valor 
which could have found in Pierre’s exploit any pre- 
text for awarding him the humblest of medals. He 
had not saved the life of any person ; he had not even 
exposed himself to the risk of a bruise ; so he began to 
ridicule himself when his companions lavished thanks 
and congratulations upon him. 

The coachman and the footman sprang from the 
box, and the baron hastily alighted from his phaeton. 
The damage was soon repaired, and the excursion was 
not abandoned for such a trifle ; but on returning to 
the chateau, Pierre could not disguise the fact that he 
was very lame. 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


49 


“ So much the better ! ” he exclaimed, “ it makes me 
appear interesting.” 

But his indifference found no echo. Nothing would 
do but that the doctor must accompany him to his 
apartment to see what was the matter. 

Nothing at all. A slight strain of one of the muscles 
of the leg, which would be entirely cured by twenty- 
four hours of rest ; but this repose must be carefully 
observed, if not, inflammation might set in, and confine 
the artist to his room for a fortnight. Above all, there 
must be no walking, no going up or down stairs. 

Pierre was obliged to obey, for all the members 
of the family entreated him not to overwhelm with 
remorse those he had saved. They insisted and pleaded. 
Besides, they made such arrangements as would pre- 
vent the possibility of ennui. One of the apartments 
placed at his disposal was a salon of considerable size, 
and there they could all assemble in the evening ; there 
Louise could sit for her portrait if he insisted upon 
continuing his work on that; and there, his meals could 
be served : in short, they were all so determined to 
regard him in the light of a hero, that they were really 
incensed when he made light of his injury. 

The twenty-four hours were prolonged until the fol- 
lowing Monday; it was not until Tuesday that he 
was allowed to go down stairs, and even then his 
friends would insist that he should keep his limb 
stretched out upon a cushion. 

All this, though trifling in itself, showed to what 

3 


50 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


extent he had won the regard of his entertainers. 
They were his friends now; the baron lavished his 
“ my dear fellows ” on the young man, actually cram- 
med his pockets with cigars, and insisted upon taking 
him to visit all the neighbors; the baroness strove in 
every possible wa}% to make his sojourn in the house 
agreeable; the canon waxed eloquent over his paint- 
ing, and Abbe Lahoulotte talked philosophy with him 
unweariedly. 

As for Louise, she had gradually become accustomed 
to the artist’s society, and had fallen into the habit of 
conversing with him in an unconstrained and friendly 
fashion for hours together. She no longer felt uncom- 
fortable under the professional attention with which 
he scrutinized her during the sittings; the conversa- 
tion interrupted by breakfast, was generally continued 
in their walks through the park, and everything was 
progressing so pleasantly that no one thought for a 
moment of ai^ possible change in the situation. 

Consequently, when the canon on the receipt of a 
letter, announced the speedy arrival of a stranger, the 
news was displeasing to every one. The deuce take 
the intruder who was to appear at such an inopportune 
moment ! No one had any business to crowd himself 
in among people who were enjoying themselves so 
much together, and who only asked that the existing 
state of things should remain unchanged as long as 
possible. 

Nevertheless, on the following Friday — an unlucky 


A CHILD OF 1SKAEL. 


51 


day, we repeat — the new comer arrived at the ap- 
pointed hour, exquisitely dressed, and received the 
courteous greetings of the master and mistress of the 
house with smiling assurance. 

He was a young man, rather too tall and slender, 
and very light complexioned. He seemed to be 
ashamed of his height, and stooped a little as if to con- 
ceal it. His thin 3-ellow hair was plastered down in 
two waves on his forehead, a la Capoul , by the aid of a 
liberal supply of cosmetique ; his lashes and eyebrows 
were also yellow, and his greenish-gray eyes, half 
concealed by heavy lids, had a rather wandering, 
vacant expression. Thin moustaches, waxed into 
sharp points, projected over a pair of long reddish 
side whiskers, which hung, in the Austrian fashion, as 
low as the collar bone ; and the whole was powdered 
and rouged, and oiled and waxed until one could think 
of nothing but the wax heads that hair dressers for- 
merly exhibited in their shop windows. And how 
gorgeously he was apparelled ! There was not a single 
wrinkle in coat, pants or waistcoat, and his linen was of 
dazzling whiteness and metallic stiffness. A double 
watch chain with a cameo pendant, upon which his 
coat of arms was engraved, dangled over his vest; 
gloves of perfumed kid adorned his hands, and the tops 
of his low pointed shoes were daintily embroidered and 
revealed red silk stockings, clocked with violet. Add 
to all this, an eye glass fixed in the left eye, and a 
small cane with a richly wrought silver handle, and 


52 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


you have a correct portrait of the young man who was 
ushered by the canon into the drawing room under the 
title of: 

“ The Count Godefroy d’Aitignies.” 

Then after an interchange of bows: 

“ The son of one of the friends of my youth,” added 
the ecclesiastic. “Now an orphan, he has only me 
left in a world from which his parents have been 
recalled by the Most High.” 

Whereupon, there was another interchange of bows, 
each person being still rather ungraciously inclined 
towards this sallow young man in spite of the cordial 
handshake of Baron de Bovilliers, who called him “ my 
dear fellow ” with an urbanity which was at the service 
of the first comer. 

After which he whispered in Pierre’s ear : 

“ Whom do you think he resembles ? ” 

“ If you asked me what he resembled, I should find 
it much less difficult to reply,” answered the artist. 

“No; seriously — Imagine him in a cassock — ” 

“What?” 

“ The image of the canon, my dear fellow. Look 
again.” 

The artist bestowed upon Count d’Aitignies one of 
those glances of professional scrutiny which nothing 
escapes, then responded: 

“ He is, indeed, a faded copy of the canon ! ” 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


53 


CHAPTER VI. 

A STRANGE STORY OF YEARS GONE BY. 

I F the new guest at Bovilliers resembled the canon, 
it was probably only by chance. 

The aged people residing in the neighborhood of 
Valenciennes, still relate a singular story that dates 
back about thirty years. They say that in the last 
year of the reign of Louis Phillippe, a certain Count 
d’Aitignies, a deputy from the department, finding 
himself suddenly in possession of a son, was so greatly 
astonished that he had the rashness to accuse his wife 
of infidelity. As he was a man of the world, and con- 
sequently as uncommunicative as an oyster; and as 
members of fashionable society dislike nothing so much 
as a public scandal, the fact of his suspicions was dis- 
closed only by his servants, who, by listening at doors, 
managed to overhear something which they repeated, 
and the following day- the whole town knew what had 
occurred. 

They talked of a terrible scene and of maledictions 
and menaces that made one’s blood run cold, until 
it became difficult to convince more than one good soul 
that the husband had not cut the countess in pieces. 

The unfortunate man had not thought of such a 
course, however. The disgrace which had nearly 


54 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


crazed him, had affected him in an entirely different 
manner. He had sobbed like a child. 

When his tears were exhausted, he proceeded to 
interrogate his wife, but the erring woman would say 
nothing more than : 

“You have a right to kill me. Do so at once. I 
shall not complain or offer any resistance, neither shall 
I make any attempt to excite your compassion for a 
momentary weakness and infatuation. I shall submit 
to your just wrath with resignation ; but do not expect 
me to divulge the name of my betrayer. That is a 
thing I can not do.” 

The count revolved the matter in his mind. A 
deputy, and consequently accountable to public opin- 
ion ; a nobleman, and consequently extremely sensitive 
in regard to his honor, he cherished the hope of slaying 
the person who had tarnished his escutcheon, for we 
all know that there is, or that there is supposed to be, 
only one honorable and effectual method of wiping out 
such a disgrace. The deputy asked nothing better ; 
but where should he find his adversary? That was 
the difficulty. 

One morning, after a night of terrible agony, the 
unfortunate count rushed to his wife’s apartment, 
pistol in hand, intending to kill her ; but on beholding 
her, the memories of the past returned with such power, 
that the thought of slaying an unarmed and defence- 
less creature seemed to him the basest of crimes. 
Then, he made a final resolve. During the six months 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


55 


that immediately followed, he heavily mortgaged all 
his property, and made a friend formally promise to dis- 
pose of the money thus obtained, in accordance with 
secret instructions ; then, one evening after the ses- 
sion of the Chamber was concluded, he went to the 
Caf6 Anglais, where he dined alone in a corner of 
the room. Subsequently he sent for a hackney coach 
and ordered the coachman to take him to the Bois. 
On reaching the site of the former Winter Garden, in 
the Champs-Elys^es, the driver, who was half asleep 
was suddenly startled by the report of a pistol. When 
he opened the carriage door, he found his passenger 
stretched lifeless across the seat. He had just blown 
his brains out. 

Throughout Valenciennes there was but a single cry, 

“ Poor man ! he was mad ! ” 

Some few who remembered the rumors in circulation 
at the time of the birth of his only son, suggested 
domestic troubles; but they were silenced by the retort: 

“ It was only despair at the loss of his money. He 
has left nothing whatever for his family;” and think- 
ing of the widow, every one exclaimed : 

“ Poor lady ! ” 

In fact, the claims, or pretended claims of creditors 
swallowed up the entire estate. Everything was sold, 
and the countess returned to her parents with nothing 
save her dowry. The child was placed in charge 
of a nurse in the country, and its mother mourned her 
loss so deeply that her already impaired health soon 


56 


A* CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


gave way entirely. One night, she rang her bell 
wildly, and the summons was promptly answered. 
She begged that a priest should be sent for imme- 
diately, but after receiving the sacrament, she lingered 
about a week and then died. 

Her obsequies were of a most imposing character. 
All Valenciennes attended the funeral, and the people 
lined the streets, to gaze admiringly at the hearse, 
loaded with flowers. 

It was impossible to bury her by the side of her hus- 
band, for he, having perished by his own hand, could 
not repose in consecrated ground. 

Such is the story still related by the old inhabitants 
of the city ; but it was doubtless purely out of Chris- 
tian charity that Abbe Remondat, who had been the 
priest of the parish to which the countess belonged, 
interested himself in the orphan who had been left 
without a patrimony in consequence of the deputy’s 
ruin. 

In any case, it is certain that this interest still con- 
tinued, for the canon had positively taken it into his 
head to engraft the escutcheon of the Barons Vaconsin 
(of Bovilliers) upon that of the Counts of Aitignies. 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


57 


CHAPTER VII. 

A REVELATION. 

B OVILLIERS, which contained barely sixty dwell- 
ings scattered about the chateau, had no municipal 
existence, nor did it possess any church ; and to attend 
divine service, the faithful of the hamlet were obliged 
to traverse the two or three miles that separated them 
from the parish church in which Abb6 Lahoulotte 
officiated. 

Every Sundaj^, at ten o’clock the baron’s carriages 
drew up before the entrance of the chateau, and the 
whole family entered them to go and hear mass, as 
the laws of politeness generally led their guests to 
accompany them. 

On the first Sunday following his arrival, Pierre had 
been prevented from conforming to this custom by the 
accident of which he had been the victim a couple of 
days before, the physician having expressly forbidden 
him to leave his room. But he had entirely recovered 
from his injury now ; and on the second Sunday the 
young artist came down about half an hour before 
the appointed time. Louise and her father were 
already on the steps, and it was not long before Gode- 
froy made his appearance in an irresistible country 
toilet. A little felt hat with a rolling rim, and a tiny 


58 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


woodcock’s feather on the side gave him an almost 
grotesque appearance ; and his pantaloons, coat and 
vest were of a }’ellowish tint with dashes of blue and 
green. He found Pierre and Louise engaged in an 
animated conversation, which the young lady did not 
seem at all inclined to allow him to interrupt, so 
Godefroy feeling himself de trop , approached the lady- 
companion who was standing alone a short distance off. 

Louise and the artist did not seem to notice his 
retreat, but continued to talk with an absence of con- 
straint which denoted no little enjoyment on the part 
of each; and when the approach of Abb6 Remondat 
put an end to their virtual tete-a-tete, Louise experi- 
enced a vague annoyance. The conversation then 
became general, and alluding to Godefroy who was 
still standing at a little distance, the abb6 inquired: 

“Well, what do you think of him on the whole?” 

On hearing this question, and without waiting to 
hear the courteous baron’s reply, Louise and Pierre 
exchanged one of those hasty and involuntary glances 
which indicate a more complete and thorough under- 
standing than the persons themselves are really con- 
scious of. There was in the glance a mixture of 
mischief, concealed amusement and raillery; and they 
looked not unlike two school-children mocking the 
master who was watching them. The abt>6 observed 
this significant look, and it aroused his uneasiness. 
He asked himself if it could be possible that this 
young girl felt too much admiration for the artist. 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


59 


Hers was not a nature to be deterred by certain preju- 
dices, but on the contrary, to think it quite natural 
that she should marry the artist if she loved him. 
And why should she not? He was no ordinary man ; 
a brilliant future was in store for him. He might 
reasonably hope for triumphs which would ensure him 
an elevated place in the aristocracy of genius ; besides, 
this winner of the prize of Rome was undeniably 
handsome. 

He had already won an enviable reputation; his 
name, which frequently appeared in the journals of 
the day, was always accompanied with glowing praises, 
and the public already knew who Pierre Wavre was. 

This glance also furnished him with other unpala- 
table food for reflection. It showed him the im- 
pression the tall Godefroy had produced upon 
Louise. To tell the plain, unvarnished truth, she 
regarded him as a grotesque creature, scarcely worthy 
of notice ; and she certainly would have laughed 
heartily had any one told her that the canon intended 
to induce her to accept the youth as a husband. 

Just then, the baroness appeared, fresh and radiant. 
Arrayed as elaborately and becomingly as if to attend 
court, there was in her eyes all the satisfaction and 
complacency of a woman who, on beholding herself 
in the glass, is convinced beyond the shadow of a 
doubt that she is still beautiful. She received the 
bows and salutations of her guests with an affability 
which won the heart of each, then she cried gayly: 


60 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


“ Come, come, we shall be late, and the cur£ is always 
in such haste to conclude the service that it is doubt- 
ful if we arrive in time for the benediction.” 

In a moment, they were all seated in the carriages. 

“ Urge your horses,” she remarked to the coachman. 

“Permit me to drive you, Madame,” said Pierre. 
“If you will, I solemnly assure you that you shall 
not lose a single word of the service ! ” 

The baroness laughingly consented. The young 
man mounted the box and took the lines from the 
coachman, and they started off in grand style, for 
the horses were confined too much in the stable, and 
were only too glad to fly along at the top of their 
speed. 

The brisk motion created a faint breeze which made 
the long plumes on the hats of the ladies flutter gayly ; 
while their gauze veils streamed out behind them 
like clouds flying along against the dark blue sky. 

Pierre drove admirably ; an accomplishment highly 
esteemed in fashionable society where, for want of 
something better to do, many of the scions of our 
most aristocratic families take a pride in rivaling the 
achievements of stage-drivers and horse-jockeys, and 
the baroness liked him the better for his skill. What 
a remarkably accomplished gentleman this artist was ! 
He had already proved himself an unusually skilful 
performer on the piano; in fact, he had shown him- 
self an adept in everything, even down to croquet, 
and how adroitly he handled the lines. A truly 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


61 


accomplished gentleman, for he even told stories with 
a verve and tact that were absolutely irresistible. 

She enlarged upon his perfections to her companions, 
and Louise listened to her mother’s praises with a 
satisfaction which did not escape the observation of the 
canon, her vis a-vis in the barouche. 

Really, the baroness did not exaggerate. Pierre 
drove with remarkable ease ; it seemed to be only play 
for him. Holding the reins in one hand, he occa- 
sionally turned to the ladies, and took part in the 
conversation, uttering every now and then some witty 
sally, without neglecting his horses for an instant, and 
guiding them swiftty, but very cleverly. 

And Louise smiled at this insignificant triumph, 
making no attempt to conceal her satisfaction. Pierre 
read it in her eyes; and seeing her so pretty and 
elated, he experienced an undefined joy which he 
would have found it difficult to explain. 

Besides, what was the use of attempting to do so? 
Being somewhat of a philosopher, he had resolved to 
enjoy a delightful present, guarding himself with in- 
stinctive prudence from any attempt to discover the 
consequences that might result from it. 

Certainly, the abbd was wrong to take offence at all 
this. Pierre was only enjoying himself in a sort of 
amateur fashion without entertaining any hopes what- 
ever. He was glad to be alive, that was all. 

The last stroke of the bell was still quivering in the 
air when they reached the square in front of the 


62 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


church. Other carriages were driving up at the same 
time from different directions, and the peasants also 
obstructed their passage. Not until then, did Pierre 
indulge in a little coquetry. Putting one hand care- 
lessly in his pocket, he guided the spirited horses with 
the other with such skill that they reached the portico 
in advance of everybody else, without interfering with 
any one, or obliging any other carriage to wait. 

“Bravo ! ” exclaimed the baroness. 

He made a little mischievous movement of the head, 
and leaping lightly from his perch, he assisted her 
to alight. 

“ I will hire you by the j^ear,” she added gayly. 

“Only too greatly honored to serve you in any 
capacity, Madame,” replied the young man. 

Instead of offering his hand to Louise, he closed it 
and presented his forearm. 

The baroness appreciated his delicacy, and still 
laughing, remarked: 

“ You are truly a perfect gentleman.” 

“At least, I have known some, Madame,” was 
his reply. 

Louise expected to enter the church on his arm, but 
the baron and Godefroy coming up at that moment, 
Pierre moved aside, and as the party entered the edifice, 
he drew back a few steps, and remained outside. 

The return to the chateau was made under entirely 
different conditions. Godefroy took a seat in the 
barouche, and Pierre went in the phaeton which the 
baron was driving. 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 63 

“ Have you a cigar,” he said casually to that gen- 
tleman as they took their seats. 

Vaconsin passed him his case without a word, and 
during the entire drive only two or three common- 
place remarks were exchanged between them. 

On reaching Bovilliers, the ladies went immediately 
to their rooms ; the canon took Godefroy with him 
for a walk through the park, and the baron, after 
asking the coachman a few questions, repaired to 
the stables. 

No one addressed a word to the artist, who instinct- 
ively felt a sudden and intentional coldness on the 
part of all. 

“ What can be the cause of it ? ” he asked himself 
with no little uneasiness. “Is it because I did not 
enter the church ; because I did not attend the ser- 
vice? Really, it seems to me it would be rather 
exacting to insist upon that ; still, it would have made 
no difference to me, and had I supposed they desired 
it, I should have made no objection. But after all, 
why should it make any difference to them? ” 

He had no idea that they were really angry with 
him. He thought such a thing improbable for such a 
trivial cause. 

In fact, he thought it so improbable, that in perfect 
good faith he reviewed all his words and acts of the 
morning. Had any objectionable word escaped him ? 
Had he unintentionally shown any want of respect? 
These things sometimes happen to the best-intentioned 


men. 


64 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


But he could recall nothing of the kind ; on the 
contrary, reflection convinced him that his manner 
towards all had been characterized by the strictest 
propriety. 

Three-quarters of an hour afterwards, the party 
assembled at the table. Pierre prudently waited for 
others to address him. They did not fail to do so, 
and he experienced a sensation of relief. Still, a shade 
of difference soon struck him. An unwonted reserve 
was apparent in the remarks addressed to him ; a 
pretence of confining the conversation to the artistic 
work he had undertaken. What a difference in the 
situation ! Only that morning, he had been on the 
footing of an intimate friend ; now he was treated with 
ceremony and reserve. Even the baron addressed 
him as “ My dear Sir.” 

As for Louise, more incensed or more frank than the 
others, she did not seem to be even conscious of his 
presence. 

Why? He did not know, and felt more deeply 
pained than humiliated. Pained? But why? The 
astonishment caused by such a question was followed 
by a vague and nameless terror which he dared not 
attempt to analyze, so intimidated was he by a 
presentiment of misfortune which bewildered him 
completely. 

To banish this, he seized upon the next remark in 
the conversation and talked on eagerly, compelling 
his companion to give him their attention, and resolved 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 65 

to make Louise depart from the indifference that she 

had assumed. 

What did he say? He scarcely knew, but a sullen 
anger seemed to put the right words in his mouth. 
The topic of conversation happened to be indepen- 
dence. Remembering what he had read in Proudhon 
on this subject, Pierre began to sneer at the preten- 
sions of mankind in this respect. 

“Independence is indeed an absurd dream,” re- 
marked the canon. “Show me a truly independent 
man, I entreat.” 

“Were it not for my modesty, I should offer myself 
as an example,” replied Pierre. 

Remondat smiled faintly. 

“Ah, young man ! ” he retorted, “how easy it would 
be for me to enumerate the many yokes to which you 
are subservient.” 

“ I should be very grateful if you would do so, if 
only in order that I might be able to free myself.” 

The controversy gradually became more vehement ; 
and considerable bitterness was displayed by the 
canon, who perhaps desired to excite the artist’s anger. 

“ I fear,” he observed, “ that in the majority of cases 
there is nothing but childishness in these manifesta- 
tions of independence which you laud so much.” 

“An example ! ” cried the young man, “for all this 
is extremely vague, Monsieur.” 

“An example? Will you allow me to choose one 
from your own conduct?” 

4 


66 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


“I beg you will do so.” 

“ And you will not be angry ? ” 

“You are too good-natured for me to run any risk 
of that. Speak plainly, and I shall be infinitely 
obliged to you.” 

The ecclesiastic smiled anew like a wise and indul- 
gent man who does not desire the death of a sinner, 
but who, sure of the tacit approval of his audience, 
condescends to triumph with moderation and excessive 
urbanity. 

“ Come now,” said he, “ confess that you thought to 
create a great sensation just now by braving every one, 
and asserting your vaunted independence by not 
entering the church with these ladies.” 

The thrust was direct, and every one listened atten- 
tively for the reply. 

“ A good shot ! ” muttered the baron. 

The baroness laughed in advance at the confusion 
she expected to see depicted on the artist’s coun- 
tenance ; and Louise experienced a bitter joy. Scan- 
dalized by the young man’s absence, she felt avenged 
by R^mondat’s reproach. 

Still, an inclination to condone his fault existed. If 
Pierre made any apology, no matter how slight, she 
was ready to forgive him. But what if he made no 
attempt to defend himself? What if he aggravated 
his offence by pretending to be unconscious of it, or by 
persistently declaring that he had done right? Under 
such circumstances, she would despise and hate him. 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


67 


With all the strength of a secret and incomprehensible 
desire she longed for an ingenious and witty mea culpa , 
were it only a jest that would disarm her, or some- 
thing equivalent to an admission that he had forgotten 
the deference due to several ladies, and especially to 
herself ; in short, a regret, no matter how it was ex- 
pressed, at having failed in politeness towards his 
entertainers. 

Up to that time, she had avoided glancing at the 
young man, but now she turned her eyes full upon him. 

“What is he going to say in reply?” she was 
anxiously asking herself ; and as she waited with sus- 
pended breath, she could almost hear the violent beat- 
ing of her heart. To her great surprise and bitter 
disappointment, Pierre smiled. A terrible indignation 
seized her. 

“I think, Monsieur,” he said with malicious sweet- 
ness, “ that persons of your profession should carefully 
guard against such hasty and even rash judgments.” 

The priest bridled a little on receiving this response, 
and his friends seemed wounded. 

“Why, for instance,” continued the artist in the 
same sweet and conciliatory tone, “ should you attrib- 
ute such a foolish motive to me. Since I have had 
the honor to be treated here with a consideration which 
I by no means deserve, what have I ever done that 
should lead you to suppose me so ill-bred ? And how 
happens it that the charity you profess, has not sug- 
gested to you the idea of procuring further informa- 


68 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


tion before accusing one almost publicly of a breach 
of good manners ? ” 

Then turning to the baroness, he added : 

“If I deprived myself, Madame, of the honor of 
accompanying you into church, it was only from a 
feeling of reserve, in which I intreat you to see only 
an evidence of my respect for you and for your faith.’* 

“I confess that I fail to clearly understand you/* 
replied Madame de Bovilliers. 

“ Being sure of the sincerity of your professions, I 
feared that my presence beside you during the service 
would seem to you a profanation/* 

“ A profanation ? And why, sir ? ’* 

“Because I am a Jew, Madame. Were you not 
aware of it ? ’* 

Pierre, watching them as they hung breathless on his 
words, did not doubt that this announcement would 
petrify them with horror. But nothing of the kind. 
Their faces cleared as if by enchantment. 

“A Jew, that is to say: an Israelite! You are ’* 

“As much of a Jew as it is possible for any one to 
be, Madame.” 

“Forgive me, my dear child,” said the priest, sud- 
denly extending his hand. “ I had no idea of such a 
thing. There is nothing in your name or appearance 
to give one the slightest suspicion of the fact. I 
humbly apologize.” 

“We certainly owe you amends,” added the 
baroness, “and I cannot but appreciate the delicacy 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 69 

of your scruples, though I assure you that I am not so 
intolerant as you suppose. I have some valued friends 
among persons of your religious faith, as well as 
among the Protestants ; and I took it no more amiss 
that they attended my marriage at St. Roch, than I 
hesitated to pray for them in their own temple when 
they in turn, solemnized their nuptials.” 

“The baroness is right, my dear fellow,” said the 
Vaconsin. “Intolerance would be very ridiculous 
nowadays.” 

“Nevertheless, you regarded me rather dubiously,” 
said Pierre. 

“You do not understand, my dear fellow. We 
supposed you a free thinker.” 


70 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


CHAPTER VIII. 


MENTAL CONFLICTS 



HILE the baron and his wife, the canon, the 


T T lady companion, and even Godefroy were stri- 
ving to make amends for the slighting manner in 
which they had treated Pierre, Louise made her escape 
from the room. 

The hurried step with which she had descended the 
steps of the perron, relaxed when she reached a shaded 
walk, where, on finding a bench, she threw herself 
down, unconscious of what was passing around her, 
repeating again and again : 

“A Jew! A Jew!” 

One would have supposed that she could not believe 
it ; that it was almost an impossibility. 

“ He ! ” she continued, “ he, a Jew ! ” 

In her bewilderment, a feeling of intense repulsion 
was the first of which she became really cognizant. 
The entire legend of the Passion passed through her 
troubled brain in a sort of feverish vision. The image 
of Pierre successively took the form of each of our 
Saviour’s persecutors. She beheld him foremost in 
the ranks of those who demanded His condemnation of 
Pontius Pilate. It was he who scourged the Son of 
God; he who crowned him with thorns; who nailed 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


71 


Him to the cross; who raised to His lips the sponge 
dipped in vinegar ; who finally pierced His side with a 
lance. In this young man whom she had treated with 
confiding friendship only that morning, she now saw 
the murderer of Christ. It was he who had done it all. 

After a time, she regained some control over herself, 
and a feeling of astonishment succeeded this sad rev- 
erie. She could not be mistaken. It was certain and 
evident that she was suffering keen mental anguish. 
But why ? 

' She became suddenly terrified. Could it be that 
without her knowledge, and against her will, this 
stranger, this transient guest, this man who did not 
even belong to the same sphere in which she moved, 
had inspired her with a much deeper liking than she 
had supposed ? 

“ No,” she responded in an outburst of passionate 
revolt, u no, it is impossible ! ” 

But in that case what difference would it make to 
her whether Pierre was an Israelite or a Christian? 
In that case, why Should she experience this agitation, 
this suffering, this repulsion, this shame — a secret but 
undeniable feeling of shame. 

This time, she left the question unanswered ; and no 
longer daring to interrogate herself, she yielded to an 
impulse of anger which served as a means of escape as 
it were. 

“ I am mad ! ” she exclaimed. “ What is it to me, if 
he is a Jew? ” 


72 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


A moment afterwards she was in the vegetable gar- 
den, repeating orders which the garden el’ had already- 
received from her ; then she hastened to the stables, 
plucking flowers on her way, flowers at which she did 
not even glance before throwing them down on the 
gravel walk. She caressed the horse she was accus- 
tomed to ride, with an abstracted^ air ; pulled the ears 
of the dogs that were leaping upon her skirts, after 
which she returned to the chateau. 

Both salons were deserted, but through a window 
she saw a group of new-comers, neighbors who had 
been invited to engage in a game of croquet. Pierre 
was leading the game, to all appearance, light-hearted 
and happy, chatting pleasantly with his companions 
who answered him in the same tone. 

Louise forgot herself a moment in watching him ; 
then, leaving the window, she opened the piano, and 
began to sing from memory with a strange expression 
of which she finally became conscious herself ; where- 
upon she seized the first book she happened to see and 
started for her own room. 

To reach it, she was obliged to pass through the 
large drawing-room in one corner of which, under a 
silken curtain, stood the artist’s easel upon which rested 
the unfinished portrait. 

The girl stopped short. The blood rushed to her 
heart, and as she stood there, pale and trembling, she 
was seized with a savage longing to tear up the sketch 
or blur the colors; but she lacked the necessary 
courage. 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


73 


Then, overwhelmed by a despair as irresistible as it 
was inexplicable, she rushed up stairs, and running 
into her own room, locked the door behind her. 

Her seat at the dinner table was vacant. 

“Louise has a slight headache,” the baroness said, 
by way of excuse, and no one seemed to think any 
more about it. 

The next morning, at the hour of the sitting, as 
Pierre was preparing his palette, the baroness came to 
him, and said : 

“ My dear sir, my daughter will give you leave of 
absence this morning.” 

“ Is she still indisposed ? ” inquired the young man. 

“ No ; a trifle fatigued, that is all.” 

Then she added, with mischievous good-nature : 

“ I fear there is a little vanity at the bottom of it. 
She did not sleep well last night, and she perhaps 
thinks that she does not look well enough to sit.” 

By one of those sudden intuitions that come from 
one knows not where, Pierre instantly divined that this 
was merely a pretext ; though not on the part of the 
baroness, who was evidently sincere and who had only 
repeated what her daughter had said to her; but he 
showed no signs of emotion though in his secret heart 
he was deeply wounded. 

“ How have I offended her ? ” he wondered artlessly. 

Louise came down to dinner, but she scarcely 
returned the artist’s bow. The fact was noticed ; and 
seeing that she continued to ignore the young man’s 


74 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


presence during the hours that followed, and that she 
avoided answering him by pretending not to hear his 
remarks, her father said to her : 

“ What has M. Wavre done to offend you ? ” 

“Offend me?” she' replied in pretended astonish- 
ment. “ Nothing. Why do }^ou ask such a question ? ” 

“Because you are treating him very rudely. The 
fact is apparent to every one. Look, your mother is 
beckoning to you ; she, too, probably desires to speak 
to you on the subject.” 

In fact, the change in the girl’s manner had struck 
every one from the canon to Abb£ Lahoulotte, and all 
united in censuring her. 

“It is not his fault that he was born a Jew ! ” they 
exclaimed. 

“Besides this is not the first time we have entertained 
guests of his faith here,” added the baron. “ Among 
the faithful supporters of the fallen dynasty there were 
at least half a dozen who held exalted positions, and 
who were received at the chateau without any show of 
displeasure on her part.” 

The baroness was even more severe. To her, a 
determined Royalist, the requirements of religion were 
not of paramount importance by any means ; the main 
thing after all, even if one must run a risk of losing 
one’s chance of Paradise, was to appear well-bred ; and 
nothing could be more ill-bred than to treat people 
rudely in one’s own house. 

So, without resorting to any circumlocution, she 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


75 


administered such a stinging rebuke to her daughter 
that Louise was absolutely thunderstruck. 

She had not supposed she was carrying things so far 
as to excite the disapproval of any one ; such, certainly 
had not been her intention, but if she had so greatly 
transgressed the laws of politeness, she was rather 
inclined to be glad of it on some accounts, for since her 
parents had reproved her, it was more than probable 
that the young artist must also have noticed the cool- 
ness of her manner towards him. So much gained! 
And in this, there was some compensation for the 
rebukes she had received. 

So she spoke to Pierre as she was bidden ; but each 
word held a covert sting in spite of the sweet smile 
that accompanied every remark she made to the poor 
fellow. 

Poor fellow, indeed, for he fully understood the 
intentions of Louise, and being too much of a gentle- 
man to retort, he forced himself to reply politely. 
But what an effort it cost him ! He was almost heart- 
broken, and more than once he was obliged to exert 
his will to the uttermost to keep from betraying his 
feelings. 

But as this cruel sport continued, sorrow gave place 
to anger. 

Intoxicated, perhaps, by her easy triumph over an 
adversary who considered it a duty not to defend him- 
self, Louise accepted his arm to pass into the drawing 
room, an imperious look from her mother having 
commanded her to do so. 


76 A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 

“You seem rather gloomy,” she remarked. “Are 
you angry with me ? ” 

“ Angry with you ? ” repeated Pierre. “ I am never 
angry with children.” 

During the remainder of the evening, Madame de 
Bovilliers engrossed the attention of the young man, so 
there was no further intercourse, either direct or indi- 
rect, between him and Louise. 

Just as tea was brought in, the baroness seated her- 
self at the piano, and requested the artist to turn the 
pages of her music for her. When she had finished, 
Pierre remained near the instrument looking over the 
music. He was not in a very amiable mood, and this 
occupation gave him an excuse for remaining a little 
apart from the others and avoiding attention. Occa- 
sionally, with his left hand, he struck a few notes as if 
to recall the air of the song he was glancing over. 

Louise approached him. 

“So you possess every accomplishment,” she said 
recklessly. “Do you sing?” 

“ When I am alone, Mademoiselle.” 

“ Mamma,” cried the young girl, “ will you beg M. 
Wavre to favor us with something?” 

There was no chance of escape, and she confidently 
expected to embarrass him ; but he responded to her 
malicious glance with a disdainful smile, and in com- 
pliance with the request of the baroness, seated him- 
self at the instrument with the ease and composure of 
a person who has no desire to be urged. He under- 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 77 

stood music thoroughly, and managed a voice of a 
rather low register but which was nevertheless very 
melodious and sympathetic, with great taste and skill. 

He sang, and in spite of herself, Louise was obliged 
to yield to the penetrating charm of the impassioned 
accents whose depth of expression seemed increased by 
the easy emission of the sounds. What did he sing? 
I do not know; but what can one sing of, if not of 
love ? An eternal theme, of which one never tires, and 
in which each composer finds inexhaustible food for 
inspiration. 

Before the song ended, Mile, de Bovilliers rose 
and left the room. Pierre was somehow conscious of 
this, though he did not see her disappear, and the fact 
strengthened him in the belief that she had been actu- 
ated by a hostile motive in compelling him to sing. 
Perhaps she had hoped he would display a want of 
ability, or in other words, render himself ridiculous ; 
and perhaps she experienced some annoyance at being 
disappointed in this respect. 

Deeply wounded by the manner in which she had 
treated him, Pierre scarcely heard the compliments 
that were lavished upon him when the song ended ; 
and it was with no little impatience that he awaited 
the moment for retiring to his own room. 

He was eager to reflect, to see clearly into his own 
heart. But when he had returned to his chamber, and 
was at liberty to reflect upon what was passing in and 
around him, a feeling of weariness and discouragement 


78 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


seized him. What was the use of subjecting himself 
to a rigid cross-examination ? What did the cause of all 
this matter to him? What was the whole family to 
him, for that matter? And if Mile, de Bovilliers was 
the most capricious and whimsical of young ladies, 
why so much the worse for her, that was all. 

He would trouble himself no more about it; he 
would not allow his mind to dwell upon it. What was 
the use of paying so much attention to an ill-bred and 
capricious child? 

Soon, he would return to Paris, and plunge once 
more into the old current, in which the memory of 
Louise would certainly not trouble him long. 

“ Bah ! ” he exclaimed, “ let us think of something 
else. I shall never see her again ! ” 

He had great control over himself, for he possessed 
the firmness of will which one generally meets in those 
who, springing from nothing, have fought their battles 
and come off victorious almost without assistance. So 
this resolve once made, he felt sufficiently relieved to 
fall asleep as soon as he had extinguished his light. 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL 


79 


CHAPTER IX. 


A RECONCILIATION 



'HE following morning Pierre woke in the best 


_L humor imaginable just as the clock was striking 
seven; but the inmates of the chateau were essen- 
tially Parisian in their habits, that is to say, they 
did not rise until late, and no one was visible before 
breakfast. 

But Pierre hastily dressed himself and crept cau- 
tiously down stairs and out into the garden, where 
everything was sparkling with the warm dew of early 
autumn. The grounds seemed contracted to the young 
artist, and absorbed in a reverie in which he was inca- 
pable of following any one idea to the end, and inha- 
ling the fresh air with delight, he hastened on until he 
reached the open fields ; then, suddenly retracing his 
steps, he soon regained the chateau, and entered the 
salon. 

Louise was seated near the easel. 

“I have been waiting for you,” she remarked, on 
seeing him. 

“ Waiting for me?” repeated Pierre in surprise. 

“ Yes, for I have an apology to make.” 

“ What an idea ! And for what, pray ? Notice that 
I at least do not demand any.” 


80 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


44 1 know that very well. Possibly that is the reason 
I feel inclined to make it.” 

44 Pray do not take the trouble, Mademoiselle.” 

44 Still, I have offended you.” 

44 1 suspected you of an intention to do so, perhaps,” 
replied Pierre laughing, 44 but even if I did, I did not 
choose to notice it.” 

She made an impatient movement, whereupon the 
young man continued with a smile : 

44 Let us be frank, since you have insisted upon an 
explanation. Your indisposition was only a pretext. I 
am a child of Israel, hence your disdain. I am a Jew, 
and by reason of your education, I inspire you with a 
repulsion bordering on loathing. You reduce me to 
despair,” he added in the same half-taunting tone, 
44 still, you will, I am sure, pardon me, if I feel a little 
surprise. May I be allowed to ask in what way my 
religion concerns you ? I am not numbered among the 
friends of the family. Summoned here to perform 
work for which I am to be paid, I am merely a casual 
guest in the eyes of your family and especially of your- 
self. If I perform my work satisfactorily, that is all 
any one has a right to expect ; and even if I worshipped 
Vishnu or the Sacred Ox instead of believing in a 
single God, no one would have a right to take offence. 
It would certainly be strange to require me to be bap- 
tized in order to deserve the confidence that is accorded 
to my very humble skill. It is true that I am now 
under your roof; but I did not solicit the honor, and 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


81 


had there been a decent inn in the village I should 
have much preferred to take up my abode there. I 
should at least have been spared the mortification of 
shocking and scandalizing you, sorely against my will, 
I assure you.” 

Louise heard him to the end without evincing the 
slightest desire to interrupt him. 

When he paused, she rose, and coming towards him, 
said : 

“I was wrong. Will you forget it, and give me 
your hand ? ” 

“No, Mademoiselle.” 

She looked him full in the face. 

“ No ? ” she repeated. 

“I am conscious of my unworthiness,” replied 
Pierre, “and such being the case, it must be a matter 
of perfect indifference to all of you whether you have, 
or have not wronged me. It should be enough that 
I profess for you. Mademoiselle, the most profound 
respect. Besides,” he added, without giving her time 
to reply, “my sketches are completed, and I am going 
away.” 

“You are going away?” repeated Louise, in some- 
thing very like consternation. 

“ This afternoon. Mademoiselle.” 

The girl’s brows suddenly contracted. 

“Very well,” she exclaimed with intense vehemence 
of manner, “go then, since you have so much pride ! ” 

“ Pride, me ? ” 

5 


82 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


“ Yes, pride ! A pride so paltry in its nature that 
you can not forgive my prejudice when I admit its 
injustice. I yielded to it thoughtlessly, without reflec- 
tion ; I reproach myself, and beg you to forgive me, 
and you harshly repulse me. You are cruel and un- 
generous. I heartily repent of my good resolution. 
You may go.” 

And she started resolutely towards the door. 

Pierre intercepted her. He was very pale and 
trembled visibly. 

“ Take a seat there,” he said, pointing to her accus- 
tomed place. “ I shall go when your portrait is 
finished.” 

“Not unless you give me your hand,” she replied 
with strange obstinacy. 

He hesitated, then, moved to the depths of his soul, 
he extended his hand which she eagerly seized, casting 
upon him a glance eloquent with unspeakable joy. 

What passed through his mind at that moment? 
There are some emotions that defy analysis; but a 
nervous throb contracted his throat, and sinking into a 
chair, he buried his face in his hands. 

“ Ah ! ” he exclaimed in despairing tones, “ Why did 
I ever come here ? What unlucky chance sent me ? ” 

Panting with emotion she watched him, enjoying her 
triumph with a mixture of feminine coquetry, and 
secret tenderness. She experienced no desire to ana- 
lyze her feelings; this unexpected pleasure was too 
delightful to be relinquished. It was the supreme hap- 


A CniLD OF ISRAEL. 


83 


piness of a woman who is beloved, who can no longer 
doubt it and who exults in her victory, a victory all the 
more complete in this case, since Pierre had acknowl- 
edged himself vanquished without any betrayal of her 
personal feelings. 

The sound of approaching footsteps made her start. 

“Dry your eyes,” she said quickly. “Some one 
is coming.” 

It was the lady companion. When she crossed the 
threshold she saw Pierre bending over his easel, while 
Louise was posing in the most composed manner 
imaginable, though her face was radiant. 

What a delightful day it was for both of them ! 
Never had the sky appeared so blue ! Never had they 
found the landscape so marvellously picturesque ! 
What a lovely and blissful day ! 

In the evening, in the drawing-room, they were 
entreated to find a duet to sing together. Together 
they turned over the sheets of music in the portfolios, 
the tips of their fingers occasionally grazing each other, 
their hair almost touching. At last, the piece was 
selected, and they craved the indulgence of the com- 
pany as they had never practised together. But how 
unnecessary such a precaution was, when they sang so 
enchantingly, pleading, entreating and responding to 
each other with all the fervor and abandon of mutual 
love. 

At midnight, the party separated. 

Louise on entering her chamber, wandered about 


84 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


aimlessly here and there. Once, she caught a glimpse 
of herself in the glass, and the radiance of her face 
startled her. Her eyes were sparkling with a candid 
happiness that suddenly set her to reflecting. Sinking 
into an arm-chair, she reviewed, one by one, the events 
of this blissful day, and soon a terrible anguish com- 
pletely changed her whole current of thought. 

As we have said before, Louise possessed unusual 
strength of character ; she was a person who always 
looked the situation full in the face and who scorned 
subterfuge ; and on so grave an occasion as this, she 
could not fail to be honest with herself. So, on reso- 
lutely examining her own heart, she found that instead 
of exulting, she had good cause to deplore her defeat, 
since she had been unable to defend herself against the 
love which the young artist had inspired in defiance of 
the wills of both. 

Love ? So it was true that she loved him ! How 
could she doubt it? A feeling of shame suffocated 
her ; a strange shame against which some instinct of 
independence and of good sense urged her to struggle. 
Buried in an arm-chair beside the open window, she sat 
with her eyes fixed on the silent immensity of a firma- 
ment whose eternal, overpowering peacefulness con- 
trasted strangely with the tempest that was raging in 
her soul. 

In a sort of philosophical bewilderment, she asked 
herself what were the prejudices, scruples and beliefs 
of a poor girl in comparison with this illimitable space, 


A CHILD OP ISRAEL. 


85 


and these hosts of shining stars? What could it mat- 
ter in such a universe and above all to Him who had 
created it, that there was one spot of earth on which a 
Christian loved an Israelite? Was it likely that He, 
in his infinite majesty, aye, and in his supreme indiffer- 
ence, would even deign to perceive it? Suddenly, a 
strange light seemed to burst upon her mental vision. 
All that she had been taught, the entire foundation of 
her faith suddenly crumbled away, leaving her dazzled 
and overwhelmed by the marvellous discoveries which 
transported her with joy, and which revealed life under 
an entirely different aspect. The emotion she experi- 
enced was one of deliverance and enfranchisement; 
she felt, indeed, that she had been blind up to the 
present time, and her heart now throbbed with joy on 
beholding the new dawn. Like Saint Paul, she was 
pursuing the road to Damascus ; but instead of casting 
herself trembling and terrified, face downwards into the 
dust, she gazed unflinchingly up to Heaven, striving to 
fathom the immensity of space with hungry eyes, as if 
searching for the true God who reigns there in sover- 
eign compassion and infinite mercy. 

Time passed unheeded, as she sat there absorbed 
in thought. Unmindful of all mundane things, her 
charmed imagination soared through the starry sky, 
losing itself in blissful dreams to which the gentle mur- 
mur of the breeze formed a fitting accompaniment. 

At last, a distant clock struck four. The sound 
aroused her from her reverie, and reminded her of the 


86 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


necessity of going to bed ; but the movement she made 
in rising caused intense pain in every limb. The 
prolonged ecstacy into which she had fallen, had 
benumbed her, and she was perishing with cold. 

Bah ! at the age of twenty, in a closed room under 
silken coverlets, one soon regains warmth and supple- 
ness ! She closed the window, drew the curtains, 
undressed in a moment, and resuming her dream, fell 
asleep. 

The next morning she awoke with a headache. Her 
skin was hot, and her pulse rapid. She coughed two 
or three times, and the physician who was summoned 
said gravely : 

“ She needs attention.” 

It was an attack of bronchitis, complicated by a 
brain-fever which soon developed itself. 

The consternation of the family pointed out to each 
guest the course it was advisable for him to pursue. 
The canon alone evinced a decided reluctance to depart. 
Were his secret hopes to be thus frustrated? 

Nevertheless, he too, was obliged to pack his trunk 
and strap it for departure. 

Two days afterwards there remained at the chateau 
only the baron and baroness who were speedily joined, 
after the sending of a telegram, by Louise’s brother, 
Lieutenant Vaconsin, who adored his sister. 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


87 


CHAPTER X. 


A NEW STAR IN THE RELIGIOUS FIRMAMENT. 
HE Lenten services of the following year were 



JL unusually interesting in Paris. There were signs 
of a political reaction that stimulated the zeal of all 
right-minded, conservative citizens ; and certain say- 
ings repeated first in drawing-rooms, and afterwards in 
the newspapers, had imparted courage and confidence 
to the most timid. A certain “ Unto the End ” was 
one of them ; the “ Here I am ; here I shall remain, ” 
had been paraphrased by several leaders ; and people 
who believed neither in God nor Devil made it a 
rule to go in gorgeous attire to yawn through the ser- 
mons that were preached in all the parish churches of 
the city. So the attendance was large, as well as 
select, and a great deal of money was collected. A 
most fortunate time for the manufacturers and renters 
of chairs. 

At the Madeleine, crowds of people were turned 
away, and such people ! Many of them elegantly 
attired ladies who, as they descended the steps, inad- 
vertently of course, displayed a dainty ankle to the 
crowd of admiring swells on the pavement below. The 
cause of the Madeleine’s extraordinary popularity was 
due to the fact that a star of the first magnitude was 


88 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


shining there ; a priest whose boldness of speech would 
have caused his arrest elsewhere, and who displayed in 
his sermons a vehemence and wit that compelled his 
auditors to applaud, in spite of the respect due to the 
sacred place. That this man was manifestly inspired 
by the Holy Spirit each of his auditors agreed. And 
then he was such a handsome man ! Such a superb 
head, such brilliant eyes and such a magnificent 
physique ! 

“ Who is he? ” inquired strangers. 

“ Abb6 Remondat. Do you not know him?” 

“No. I belong to Saint Roche.” 

“ My dear friend, forsake Saint Roche. There is no 
one there to compare with him.” 

In short, the ambitious canon had made a hit, and 
was as much the fashion as Capoul and Patti. He had 
developed into a leader, nothing more or less: a celeb- 
rity, whom the Barn urns of free and sensation-loving 
America regretted their inability to entice upon a 
bridge of gold to go and perform on the other side 
of the ocean. 

He was pleased, undoubtedly, for whatever people 
may say or think, there is a human heart under every 
priest’s robe, and no man can long remain insensible 
to the pleasures of success. 

Still, it was not triumphs of this kind which he 
would have chosen, could he have had his way, for 
irreproachable as was his demeanor, no priest ever had 
less taste for his vocation ; no priest had ever regretted 
more deeply his adoption of this profession ! 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


89 


He had been virtually compelled to enter the priest- 
hood by a series of unfortunate circumstances which it 
might be well to explain. 

The youngest child of a very worthy woman who had 
previously given birth to six daughters, he had only 
heard people speak of his father, a president of the 
council of Anjou, who had died during one of the 
sessions of that body. 

The mother, one of those fiery and resolute Auverg- 
nates whom reason never subdues, formed as soon as 
she became a widow, a very simple plan which she pur- 
sued for twenty years with a tenacity which brooked 
no opposition. 

Realizing that destiny would compel her to marry 
off her six daughters, and consequently to deprive her- 
self of their companionship for the sake of strangers 
for whom she would care nothing, and who would 
necessarily yield her only a very slight affection in re- 
turn, she told herself that in order to make sure of not 
spending her last years in solitude and obscurity, her 
son must be bound to celibacy. Now the only means 
of imposing such an obligation upon him was to make 
him take orders. In such a case, under the patronage 
of family friends and relations who had held honorable 
positions under all the regimes, he could not fail to be 
appointed to an excellent curacy, where she would 
install herself with him. There, she could rule with a 
high hand, and enjoy a delightful and well deserved 
season of repose. 


90 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


As soon as the lad arrived at a suitable age she sent 
him to the nearest seminary. For some time the boy 
accepted the lot that had been marked out for him with- 
out any great repugnance; but when the period of 
adolescence transformed him, awakening aspirations, 
instincts and desires in proportion to the vigor of his 
blood and of his intellect, lie found it difficult to submit 
to the yoke of the institution. There were constant 
revolts over which his will never succeeded in winning 
a victory; mental conflicts in which the powers of 
evil always gained the ascendancy. 

He tried to persuade his mother that he was not con- 
stituted for the priesthood ; and endowed by nature 
with no little eloquence, he presented good reasons in 
plenty, freely confessing the weaknesses which he 
declared himself incapable of overcoming. Wasted 
labor ! The widow, determined that her son should not 
thwart her, resolutely closed her ears, and without 
troubling herself to find arguments, reduced the 
wretched youth to subjection by persistently refusing 
to listen. 

To escape from the sacrifice demanded of him, he 
resorted to every possible expedient, the least original 
of which was an attempt to make the professors of the 
institution expel him. But, alas! he soon discovered 
that he would not succeed in this. They too, were 
firmty resolved that he should enter their ranks. What! 
relinquish their hold on such a clever youth who was 
endowed with intellectual faculties of the highest order, 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


91 


and who promised to be an honor to the priesthood? 
Release this rare prize at a time when recruits were 
not only few in number but gathered chiefly from the 
peasantry, and consequently only worthy to swell the 
number of humble disciples whose only mission was 
to say Amen to all that was uttered by those above 
them. 

One day, exasperated beyond endurance, he fled from 
the seminary, cast aside his monkish garb, and put 
many miles between himself and his mother ; but he 
was only nineteen, and lacked what is commonly 
known as the sinews of war , the necessary funds to 
carry on a prolonged resistance. The widow did not 
hesitate for a moment. Strong in her rights as a guar- 
dian, she set the police on the fugitive’s track, and they 
soon captured him. A heart-rending scene ensued. 
The young man attacked her at every point; some- 
times entreating her with despairing sobs to have com- 
passion on him ; sometimes breaking out into open 
revolt. But neither had any effect upon her. The 
good lady had sworn that her son should become a 
priest and nothing could induce her to break that vow. 

At last, the unfortunate youth abandoned the strug- 
gle and became resigned, at least in appearance ; but if 
his mother could have read his secret heart she would 
have been so terrified that she certainly would have 
renounced her cruel design. Weary of the intermina- 
ble discussions that rent his heart in twain, the youth 
formed a half-diabolical resolution. No longer able to 


92 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


doubt the selfishness of his mother’s motives, he acqui- 
esced from a fear of an open scandal, but with a long- 
ing for revenge that destroyed every particle of filial 
affection. 

44 She wishes me to be a priest,” he said to himself, 
44 so be it. But on the day when she thinks that her 
triumph has come, she shall see what her iniquitous 
schemes have cost her.” 

44 You wish me to enter the priesthood,” he said dryly 
to his obstinate parent. 44 1 submit. This evening I 
shall return to the seminary.” 

He did, indeed, return, and from that time, the good 
fathers were touched and edified by the industry he 
displayed, and by his evident anxiety to understand all 
that was taught him. 

At the age of twenty-one he was admitted to orders. 
His mother spent the entire day in returning thanks to 
the Most High, and overwhelmed with joy, believed 
that she had entered the desired haven at last. 

But her delight was of short duration. Only a few 
days passed before the young man announced his 
intention to become a missionary. 

44 What, go away ? ” 

44 Yes, to distant lands. To Oceanica, Cochin China, 
or Japan, it mattered not where.” 

“But what is to become of me?” inquired the 
mother. 

44 You, mother? You wished me to consecrate my- 
self to the service of God; I obeyed you. Rejoice, 
then.” 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


93 


Even his superiors endeavored to dissuade him, but 
he paid no attention to their remonstrances. Going 
straight to his bishop, he talked to him in such a con- 
vincing manner that this prelate at once took sides 
with him, and reproved the widow quite sternly, who 
saw the very persons she had made use of in subjuga- 
ting her son, interesting themselves in inducing him to 
desert her. 

But as her son had yielded to her tears on one occa- 
sion, she did not yet despair of shaking his resolu- 
tion. But alas! what a change had taken place in 
him ! He was no longer the tender-hearted youth who 
could not endure the sight of his mother’s grief, but the 
anointed of God, a being elevated far above all the 
petty sorrows of humanity. 

To such as appealed to his filial tenderness, he 
replied gently but with characteristic firmness : 

“ The sorrow I feel in grieving the mother who bore 
me, is a sacrifice I humbly offer to the Trinity. My 
mother suffers, and I am the cause of it ; this makes 
me experience a sort of martyrdom. So much the bet- 
ter. I bear it for the sake of Jesus, whose glorification 
must henceforth be my only object in life. 

“But she, — she,” they repeated. 

“ She ? She must go and prostrate herself at the 
foot of the altar, and there meditate upon the sorrows 
of our Holy Mother ; and her own grief will seem so 
slight in comparison, that she will soon be consoled.” 

It is true that this solicitude was only pretended. 


94 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


The filial affection upon which they depended, no longer 
existed. On the contrary, he hated this woman who 
had thought only of her own aggrandizement, and who 
had shrunk from nothing to bend him to her will. He 
did not even feel pity 7 " or compassion for her. In his 
eyes, she was a creature destitute of either sensibility 
or nobility of character; an inferior, unworthy of the 
slightest consideration. 

As soon as the necessary arrangements could be 
made, he embarked for Saigon, contenting himself by 
announcing his departure to his widowed mother in a 
short letter abounding in scriptural texts of an appro- 
priate character. 

The blow killed her. Her disappointment was so 
intense that for six months the poor woman wept 
incessantly, marvelling that after all, Heaven, in its 
justice, should compel her to reap exactly what she had 
sown, and then she died. 

When her son received this sad intelligence some 
months afterwards, he was not in a condition to expe- 
rience any great remorse. The climate had proved 
exceedingly unwholesome to him, and when he received 
the news of his mother’s death, he was prostrated by 
a fever which threatened to put an end to his own life. 

He recovered, however ; and as soon as he could 
walk with the aid of a cane in either hand, he returned 
to France, where his native air finally restored him to 
health. 

But Worst of all, the trials to which he had been 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


95 


subjected, and his enforced meditations during convales- 
cence, led him to regard things in an entirely different 
light, and the little faith he possessed was violently 
shaken. He regarded himself as a . dupe, and cursed him- 
self as a fool for having ruined his life out of a sense- 
less respect for sentiments which are oftener feigned 
than felt. Would it not have been a hundred times 
better for him to have offended his mother by persisting 
in his refusal to return to the seminary, than to have 
obeyed her and then make her die of grief and dis- 
appointment? In that case, he would not now be tor- 
mented with a twofold and poignant regret as well as 
a sort of mental vertigo aggravated by secret prompt- 
ings to self-destruction. 

As he regained strength, the same aspirations and 
cravings which had once before impelled him to cast 
aside his cassock again seized him with almost irresisti- 
ble power. The hardest thing of all to bear was the 
sight of his sisters’ households. In each of these he 
beheld a man occupied, and how delightfully ! with the 
prosperity of his family, content to spend and be spent 
in their service, and to live happy and beloved with a 
little band of grateful and confiding children around 
him, and with a contented and virtuous wife to protect. 
On leaving these firesides, sometimes, his reason almost 
deserted him. Through a mistaken sense of duty, he 
had deprived himself of all this happiness. 

And what had he in the way of compensation ? God ? 
Was that certain? He began to ask himself this ques- 


96 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


tion now, with a terror which his early training was 
powerless to dispel. Still, force of habit made him 
defer an examination, the result of which he instinct- 
ively dreaded. He endeavored to divert his thoughts 
from the subject, and envied certain older clerical 
brethren who had ceased to think, and who yawningly 
expounded doctrines of which they had but an 
extremely vague comprehension. 

Alas ! his twenty -six years did not permit him to 
follow their example, and indulge in that blissful indif- 
ference which is a refuge only for the aged, or for minds 
of an emphatically second-rate order ; and this constant 
and overpowering realization of the void in his life 
impelled him irresistibly to devote himself to something. 
But to what ? 

Even under these conditions it would seem that life 
might still have a claim and an object. For domestic 
joys he might substitute ambition, for instance. The 
pursuit of a possible triumph might furnish a vent for 
his energy and a field for his efforts, at least, he hoped 
so. The result had proved the correctness of this 
supposition, and his success had exceeded his most 
sanguine expectations. 

As we have seen, some inexplicable motive had 
impelled him to make an effort to bring about a mar- 
riage between Count d’Aitignies and Louise de BoviL- 
liers ; and had it not been for the young lady’s illness, 
it is more than probable that the services of the family 
lawyer would have been called into requisition before 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


97 


this time, in the preparation of the marriage contract, 
for in spite of that hindrance, the project had not been 
abandoned. Before taking her convalescent daugh- 
ter to Cannes, Madame Vaconsin, nee Belencour, nad 
promised the canon to bring the affair to a successful 
termination ; and from the letters that had been ex- 
changed between them, spring-time would probably 
witness the conclusion of the affair. 

In fact, towards the close of the Lenten season in 
which Abbd Re mo nd at was achieving such a wonderful 
success at the Madeleine, the baroness announced the 
return of her family to Paris. Louise had entirely 
recovered. Influenced by her mother, she no longer 
evinced any unwillingness to become the Countess 
Godefroy d’Aitignies. The baron, alone, seemed to be 
not altogether satisfied with his proposed son-in-law. 
The count’s four hundred thousand francs seemed to 
him rather insignificant in comparison with the million 
and a half Louise was to receive as a dowry ; but the 
baroness pleased at the idea of wedding her daughter 
to a nobleman of ancient lineage, a legitimist by 
right of birth, and a good Catholic, had promised to 
overcome these objections. 

The preliminaries thus settled to all intents and 
purposes, the canon deemed it advisable to warn 
Godefroy ; and one morning, on leaving for the Made- 
leine, he ordered the coachman to stop at the resi- 
dence of the young man he was pleased to style his 
spiritual son. 

6 


98 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


CHAPTER XI. 


“THE VERY HUSBAND I WOULD HAVE 
SELECTED FOR YOU.” 


OUNT GODEFROY D’AITIGNIES occupied a 



handsome suite of bachelor apartments on the Rue 
d’Aumale. The salon and dining-room were on the 
street ; the bedroom and the study, so called, though 
it would be difficult to explain why, overlooked the 
gardens that extended as far as the houses on the 
Rue la Rochefoucault. 

The furniture was slightly worn, but still presented 
an eminently respectable appearance. One instinct- 
ively felt that comfort was a paramount consideration 
with its owner. The chairs were soft, and low arm- 
chairs predominated. Locomotion in the bedroom was 
difficult, so greatly was it encumbered with reclining 
chairs, causeuses and ottomans of different sizes. Every 
window was hung with thick curtains which fell to the 
floor in heavy folds, softening the light, and deadening 
the sounds from without. It was a peaceful and half- 
voluptuous abode, the atmosphere of which, impreg- 
nated with a mingled odor of musk and rice powder, 
made one fancy one’s self in a lady’s boudoir, in spite 
of the partially consumed cigars that strewed their 
white ashes in cups of bronze, Saxe and Sevres. 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


99 


Evidently the count was not anticipating a visit 
from the canon ; and it was equally evident that the 
announcement of the guest’s arrival did not arouse 
much pleasure, for his valet having been obliged to 
shake the count in order to awaken him, Godefroy 
could not refrain from mentally consigning the impor- 
tunate visitor to the lower regions. 

“ Why were you so stupid as not to think of telling 
him I had gone out? I could have called on him soon. 
You are certainly an idiot.” 

Then summoning courage to endure his misfortune, 
he added : 

“ Tell him I have a headache, and that I beg he will 
wait a moment. What time is it ? ” 

“ Half past twelve.” 

“ Bring me a little warm water, quick. Give him the 
morning papers. What could have sent him here to 
rout me out at this hour ! ” 

The young man’s annoyance was not unreasonable. 
The afternoon before, there had been races at Longs- 
champs, the first spring meeting, and as you may sup- 
pose, no gentleman of his stamp would have failed to 
be present. With his badge of membership hanging 
from his button hole, he had been foremost among the 
crowd, where he had made bets with people to whom 
he would not have bowed for an empire any where out- 
side of this enclosure. He had even won about four 
hundred louis from them, a fact which put him in 
remarkably good humor. 


100 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


44 1 am in luck to-day,” lie said to himself exultantly. 

After the races, he had returned in company with 
some members of his club, with whom he talked in the 
most familiar manner, though he did not even know 
their place of residence. But there was no one at the 
club-house, a majority of the gentlemen having been 
unable to escape the bore of a family dinner that day ; 
so one of his companions suggested dining at a neigh- 
boring restaurant in company with some pretty girls 
he promised to pick up. 

The plan was promptly acceded to ; and at half past 
seven Godefroy was attacking his oysters in company 
with two lady frequenters of restaurants, who, though 
neither attractive nor pretty, were certainly entitled to 
respect by reason of age, for there are several retired 
generals who can testify to having treated these same 
ladies long ago, in the days when they were pursuing 
their military studies at Saint-Cyr. To tell the truth, 
such ladies understand their business very well, and 
are not at all troublesome. Entirely devoted to the 
education of youth, they discreetly withdraw immedi- 
ately after coffee is served, understanding very well 
that their entertainers will desire to engage in a game 
of baccarat. 

This was the case after the conclusion of the dinner 
to which they had been invited by Godefroy and his 
friend. As we have said, Count d’Aitignies felt that 
he had struck a vein of luck that day, so it was he who 
proposed a game ; but strange to say, his good fortune 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 101 

had deserted him, and in a very short time he lost all 
he had won at the races. This disappointment turned 
his head: he wished to show his pluck, and at three 
o'clock in the morning he found himself head over 
heels in debt. 

Some men would have been satisfied to let the affair 
rest there, and would have gone to bed, but he was in- 
capable of it. So deserting the company, he returned 
to the club, where he finally recovered his money. 

But it was nine o’clock in the morning before he 
succeeded in doing so. 

His complexion was livid, his eyes were red and 
swollen, his bones ached, and he could scarcely see 
when he parted from his companions to go to bed, after 
a compulsory toilet which delayed him until after ten 
o’clock. And now this confounded priest had come to 
disturb him at half past twelve. 

“ The devil take him ! ” he exclaimed, as he hastily 
donned the garments scattered on the surrounding 
chairs. “ What if he should have taken a notion to 
compel me to swallow a sermon. That would really be 
the last straw. I like him very well but that is no 
reason why he should make himself a nuisance.” 

If the Bovilliers family had seen the Count d’Aitig- 
nies in this guise, they would have gazed at him in 
open-mouthed astonishment, so little did he resemble 
the rather diffident youth they had entertained the 
previous autumn. Still less would they have believed 
it possible, that it was he who was expressing himself 
in this forcible, but by no means elegant language. 


102 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


His toilet made, Godefroy hastened to join the abb6. 

“My dear boy,” began the canon, “the Bovilliers 
have returned to Paris, and we are to dine with them 
this evening.” 

“ The deuce ! I have an engagement,” was the 
young man’s reply. 

“ Then you must manage to obtain a release from it. 
The letters which have passed between the baroness 
and myself make it necessary to settle this affair imme- 
diately. Louise, persuaded by her mother, has con- 
sented to become your wife ; and the baron, who, at one 
time considered your fortune insufficient, has concluded 
to overlook that objection. The provisions of the mar- 
riage contract are all that remains to be decided. Give 
yourself no uneasiness ; I will take charge of them ; 
and will make such arrangements that, in case of your 
wife’s death, you will be left in comfortable circum- 
stances.” 

This was an eminently satisfactory assurance to 
Godefroy ; still, he was haunted by one misgiving of a 
very serious character. To conclude this marriage, it 
was necessary for him to be able to show what he was 
supposed to possess, viz. : four hundred thousand francs, 
the fortune he had inherited from his deceased mother. 
A very easy condition to fulfil, if the money had still 
been in his possession. But alas, little was left him now 
save the recollection of it. He had spent it to the very 
last penny ; and had aggravated the situation by bor- 
rowing about one third as much more — one hundred 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


103 


and thirty thousand francs in round numbers, not 
including the interest. And what a terrible thing the 
interest was ! How it mounted up month after month, 
continually increased by contingent expenses or fees 
upon which the notary and the sheriffs grew fat. 

“ Let me see,” said the canon, to whom the lineal 
descendant of the Counts d’Aitignies had not consid- 
ered it prudent to confess his embarrassment, “your 
inheritance is intact, I suppose? You still have the 
four hundred thousand francs you received from your 
mother.” 

“ I have,” replied the young man boldly. 

Some might have been so conscientious as to consider 
this a falsehood ; but Godefroy, who had been educated 
in one of the principal Jesuit seminaries, in accordance 
with R^mondat’s wishes, had profited by the instruc- 
tions of the good fathers, and now extricated himself 
from the difficulty without the slightest remorse, by 
means of one of those mental reservations which are 
the honor of such institutions. 

It was only necessary to mentally add to the “ I 
have ” the words “ spent them,” to silence any scruples 
he might otherwise have felt. His protector had 
taught him that such a subterfuge was no falsehood. 
The end sanctified the means ; and the canon certainly 
ought not to be offended with him for his deception, 
since a confession of the truth would have deeply 
pained this worthy priest who was trying to do him 
such a good turn. 


104 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


Besides, Godefroy cherished a secret hope that every- 
thing might be arranged after all, for he had a devoted 
friend who had plenty of money at her disposal, and 
who would certainly take pleasure in extricating a 
worthy youth from his difficulties ; and we shall see 
by and by, that he did not count without his host. 

Reassured on this point, the canon did not stop to 
ask any more questions, but contenting himself with 
some general recommendations, he left his protege to 
hasten to the Madeleine, where a select audience was 
eagerly waiting for one of those edifying discourses 
with which this eloquent divine was accustomed to 
regale them. 

No one was disappointed. R6mondat was at his best 
that day. He exhorted the assemblage with marvel- 
lous passion and fervor, indulging freely in illustrations 
calculated to harrow up the feelings and excite his 
audience to the highest pitch. His words cut like so 
many two-edged swords from which it was impossible 
to escape. He made even the indifferent tremble ; it 
was impossible to repress a shudder, and many of the 
ladies were moved to tears when he described the doom 
of the transgressor. 

Ah ! what a wonderful man ! And what a marvel- 
lously musical voice he possessed ! How handsome he 
was, too ! How graceful were his gestures, how distin- 
guished his bearing ! What a beautiful and powerful 
face, illumined by eyes whose searching light it was 
impossible to meet unflinchingly. . Even the most 
modest of his female auditors wondered how old he was. 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


105 


But as yet he had touched only upon trifles, mere 
bagatelles intended to prepare his audience for the 
doctrinal exposition which was to constitute the bulk 
of his sermon ; and it was not until he had gained full 
control of his hearers that he soared to realms where 
few of his lady auditors were able to follow him. But 
what did that matter now? They were completely 
under the spell of his magnetic eloquence, and it would 
be most uncourteous under the circumstances, not to 
granf him a period of grace ; besides, as he was liberally 
paid, he had no intention of denying his patrons the 
aid of his talents in the good fight. 

Yes, and a terrible fight it was, just then, for an 
attempt to moderate the insatiable demands of the 
clergy was in progress, and the liberals did not hesitate 
to resist the pretended rights of the Vatican by the 
doctrine of individual and personal rights. 

“We must pity these misguided men, my brothers,” 
said the canon, “ and entreat Heaven to forgive them, 
for in the words of Holy Writ, they certainly know 
not what they do. 

“ Where do they find any authority to limit the 
action of the Church, to resist its censure, its maternal 
guidance in every thing relating to life, to family disci- 
pline, to the habits of the customs of nations ? 

“ The Church, my brothers, has but one rejoinder to 
make ; one triumphant rejoinder before which all 
arguments vanish like smoke. The Church, scorning 
all discussion, says triumphantly, 4 1 am independent.’ 


106 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


“ Yes, the Church is independent, and it is a forget- 
fulness of this fact which has weaned from her so 
many spirits formed to love her, which has revived 
persecutions of every sort against her, and is preparing 
for her in the immediate future, difficulties which she 
will overcome only because she is divine. 

“ To be independent, is to have no superior. It is 
for this reason that God is pre-eminently independent, 
and in like manner, the Church. 

“ Who is the superior of the Church. Is it France 
or England or Italy, or any other nation ? No, none 
of these. The Church has an invisible head, Jesus 
Christ, and a visible head, the Pope, Christ’s repre- 
sentative. 

“ The Church constitutes a half human, half divine 
body on earth. Composed of men, it lives among men. 
This is its human side. ‘The Holy Spirit is its soul.’ 
In the words of Saint Augustine : Spiritus est anima 
ecclesiae. This is its divine side. 

“ On account of its divinity,” the speaker contin- 
ued, “it is superior to any human power, to any tem- 
poral authority or to any civil society. The Church, 
intrusted with the guidance and instruction of all 
nations, consequently has a right to the respect and 
(impressively) to the obedience of all nations.”* 

In spite of the sacredness of the place, a murmur of 
admiration ran from one end of the nave to the other. 
After winning the favor of the ladies, he was striving 

* Mgr. Fava, Bishop of Grenoble, 1879. 


A CHILD OP ISRAEL. 107 

to please the noblemen and such aspiring bourgeoises as 
had accompanied their pious dames. 

Then, in indignant tones, the orator demanded to 
know if the Church should descend from the lofty 
plane in which she moved, to notice the misguided 
nations which contested her independence and her 
superiority. 

“ Alas ! ” he exclaimed, “ to accuse the Church of 
indifference is the height of ingratitude and injustice. 
Does she not continue to struggle valiantly to save 
from the abyss into which she seems about to plunge, 
this beautiful land of France, now so fallen, formerly 
so great.” 

A general movement was followed by a profound 
silence. Every one was conscious that the climax was 
fast approaching, that a terrible blow was about to fall 
upon the magnates and the institutions of the day, and 
all present hung breathless on the speaker’s words. 

44 When at the cry, 4 Dieu le veut ! ’ ” he continued 
with fanatical vehemence, 44 ninety thousand warriors, 
with the red cross on their breasts, and lance in hand, 
rose as one man to exterminate the Saracen, at the 
risk of death by loathsome diseases and formidable 
adversaries ; when a king, to arrest the progress of the 
demoralizing doctrines of an apostate monk, plunged 
the nation into interminable wars, then France was 
truly great ! 

44 And grand and superb she showed herself once 
more when, to stifle the discords produced by ridicu- 


108 A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 

lous sects that threatened society at large with destruc- 
tion, beacon-lights were kindled on every hill, and 
Charles IX., inspired by the great Catherine de Medicis, 
forever endeared, both of them, to the hearts of all 
true Christians by their courage and heroic faith, deliv- 
ered the country in a single night of fifty thousand 
Huguenots ! * But to-day, my brothers, to-day, alas ! — ” 

And finding in this, a starting point for a bitter 
attack upon the hideous democratism and spirit of 
tolerance which now disfigured the beautiful land of 
France, he indulged in transparent allusions which 
converted enthusiasm into positive frenzy. 

All this was expressed with remarkable talent and 
an extraordinary knowledge of effect; not a word 
too much, and occasional displays of reserve which 
impressed one even more than the gestures and the 
play of feature with which he emphasized his ringing 
words. An artist in his profession ! One of those 
true artists who, without a shadow of conviction, gov- 
ern the play of their nerves, so that at times the emo- 
tion they excite, overtakes them in a sort of return 
shock. 

It was a great triumph for him, a pious triumph of 
course ; but in the sacristy, two reporters pounced 
upon him in order to obtain material for the fabrica- 
tion of a two column sketch of his life and habits. 
The more determined of the two, despairing of making 
him forget the reserve imposed by his robe and his pro- 
* Abridged History in use in Ecclesiastical Schools. 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


109 


fession, dogged his steps as cleverly as any detective 
could have done, in order that his journal might, on 
the morrow, have the good fortune of telling the only 
partially civilized world that the incomparable orator, 
at the close of the service had repaired in an unpre- 
tending hackney coach — say, was this not touching? — 
to the Avenue de l’lmperatrice, to the residence of 
the charming Baroness Yaconsin de Bovilliers, n6e de 
Bdlencour. 

Strange to say, this assertion was true. At seven 
o’clock the abbe was paying his respects to Louise’s 
mother, and shaking hands with the daughter who, 
still a little weary from her journey, had only partially 
risen from her seat to receive him. 

The poor girl was greatly changed. Though as 
pretty as ever, it was in an entirely different style : 
she was sedately lovely now in her melancholy pallor, 
and much more quiet and reserved, though still smiling 
and affable. 

On the priest’s entrance, he found her conversing 
with Godefroy who, in compliance with R^mondat’s 
instructions, had presented himself at an early hour. 
The first glance satisfied the abbd that matters were 
progressing satisfactorily, his prot6g6 being treated by 
each member of the family with that familiarity which 
implies a tacit understanding upon a certain subject ; 
in short, he was treated like one of the household, 
like a person who had become a member of the family. 

Not that there was in any member of the party that 


110 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


peculiar freedom so apt to result from the presence of 
a betrothed couple, nor was there any display of affec- 
tion or tenderness ; but on the part of the parents and 
the young girl alike, there was an apparent desire to 
suppress ceremoniousness. They were evidently per- 
sons who had fully decided on a certain carefully-con- 
sidered project, without any enthusiasm, it is true, and 
without much delight, but simply with a mutual and 
cold acquiescence. There was something in all this of 
a rather official character, so to speak, that left the 
interested parties perfectly cool and collected. Were 
they satisfied ? If so, they showed little signs of it ; 
and one felt almost sure that if the marriage should 
be broken off from some cause or other, they would 
accept the situation very philosophically. 

And in fact, the canon would have been the only 
really vexed and disappointed person. But this cer- 
tainly was not likely to be the case. Far from appre- 
hending any rupture, he was convinced that an emi- 
nently satisfactory conclusion had been reached. 

The baroness strengthened him in this opinion. 
On taking his arm to enter the dining-room, she 
whispered : 

“My dear Abb6, the baron wishes to see you a 
moment in his cabinet this evening, to confer with you 
on the principal stipulations of the marriage contract. 
You will only have to say ‘Amen.’ I have smoothed 
away all difficulties; and by listening to my husband, 
you will learn that your wishes have pre vailed.’ * 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


Ill 


“I am infinitely grateful to you, baroness.” 

“You need not be. It was for our own sakes, and 
especially for my own, that I exerted myself to insure 
the success of this project. Your proteg6, though 
perhaps not a young girl’s ideal, satisfies other and 
more important requirements. With him, at least, my 
daughter is not likely to be exposed to those crises of 
the heart which are so wearing on a woman. She 
views things in a sensible light, and realizes that for 
her, position is more necessary than love. She also 
feels that with Godefroy she will have no sacrifice to 
make, and that she can retain her own individuality in 
their married life. As for me, I see this advantage, 
she will remain near us.” 

During the entire repast the baroness and the abb6 
kept up a low-toned conversation. 

“ There were two kinds of husbands that I specially 
dreaded for Louise,” remarked Madame de Bovilliers. 
“ First, the lover husband. The joys of a love-match 
are necessarily short-lived ; and my daughter’s charac- 
ter led me to dread the effect of the too frequent 
disappointments in unions of this kind. I know her 
well ; and chagrin, injustice and the wounding of 
legitimate pride would perhaps impel her to open 
revolt. The other kind of husband I wushed to 
avoid for her, was a man like her father, one of those 
selfish natures by which a person, no matter what 
talent she may possess, must allow herself to be 
absorbed, unless she violently resists, at the risk of 


112 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


an open scandal. With Godefroy, Louise has nothing 
of this kind to fear : they will live side by side, like 
friends.” 

In fact, the understanding seemed to be general and 
complete ; and when Baron Vaconsin held a short con- 
ference with the canon, only a single point was left 
unsettled : the date of the marriage. This must, of 
course, depend upon the rapidity of Louise’s recovery. 

Among those present at this family dinner was a 
handsome and manly young officer whom Godefroy had 
known only by hearsay: Lieutenant Vaconsin, the 
brother of the betrothed. 

On introducing them, the baroness bade them shake 
hands ; “ for you are destined to become good friends,” 
she remarked. 

They obeyed with very good grace ; but the contact 
of their fingers did not produce that current of sympa- 
thy which is so quickly and easily established between 
young men. On the contrary, each felt a slight repul- 
sion ; and in spite of the courteous words they 
exchanged, they were both conscious of the same 
feeling. 

“ He does not suit me,” thought the lieutenant, while 
Godefroy inwardly exclaimed: 

“A conceited ass.” 

Louise’s brother, in fact, caused him no little annoy- 
ance at the table. He scarcely took his eyes off his 
future brother-in-law, but gazed at him intently, as if 
trying to read his inmost thoughts; and Godefroy, 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 113 

not a little intimidated, mentally consigned him to 
regions never mentioned to ears polite. 

As they drank their coffee in the drawing-room, 
they conversed together a few moments, and the 
mutual antipathy increased in violence. The son of 
the baroness detected about his companion an odor 
of pretended sanctity that excited his distrust, and 
almost convinced him that the count was an arrant 
hypocrite. How absurd it was to think of marrying 
his clever sister to this great simpleton, who repeated 
with all the assurance of egregious ignorance, the 
ready-made formulas which had been crammed into him. 

Godefroy, on his part, was scandalized by the opinions 
the young officer expressed on certain subjects. Evi- 
dently Lieutenant Yaconsin did not share the opinions 
and beliefs of either of his parents. He spoke of 
Bonapartism with scorn and indignation ; the preten- 
sions of the Legitimists excited his derision, and from 
the manner in which he alluded to the clerical machi- 
nations which were then in progress, and by which an 
attempt was being made to undermine government 
institutions, it was very evident that the young man 
was no bigot. 

All this seemed appalling to Godefroy, who, while 
he did not hesitate to lead a most dissipated life, 
transgress every commandment of God and of the 
church, and stoop to anything to procure money, could 
not understand how any one could dare to live without 
religion. 


7 


114 


A CHI L D OF ISRAEL. 


A little litter in the evening the young officer took a 
seat by his sister. 

“ Louisette,” he said in low tones, “is this a husband 
of your own choosing?” 

She turned her pretty face towards him, and with a 
smile in which there was a tinge of mischief, replied by 
asking : 

“ What do you think of him ? ” 

“ His conversation is extremely edifying, no doubt,” 
responded the young man. 

“ He consents to live with us eight months of the 
year,” answered the girl. “Mamma assures me that 
he will not be troublesome, and papa considers him a 
very good fellow.” 

“ Have you not dreamed of something different ? ” 

“ I have been properly trained, my dear Charles.” 

“I understand. But you know, Louise, that nothing 
is settled yet, and that I have a voice in the matter, so 
do not fear to let me understand your wishes.” 

“You are very kind, and I thank you for it,” 
replied Louise. “ But what does it matter whether it 
is this man or some other, provided his temper is good? 
I am not very exacting, so you need not be troubled if 
he does not fulfil your conception of my ideal. I have 
none, or rather I have discovered that mine is not 
likely to be realized. So let us allow the subject 
to drop. If you are not pleased, refrain from saying 
so, for my sake. Besides, who knows ! There are 
always many surprises in marriage; and girls who 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


115 


expect much are very apt to be disappointed ; perhaps 
I, who expect nothing, shall be more fortunate. Besides, 
maternity furnishes one with interests and occupation. 
I experience neither enthusiasm nor repugnance ; and 
go forward confidently to meet my fate with a peaceful 
heart and an unwavering confidence in the mercy of 
God.” 

“So be it,” replied her brother. 

As he was about to move away, he carelessly 
remarked : 

“ Tell me, how does your portrait come on ? ” 

Louise turned suddenly pale, but after a successful 
struggle for composure, she quietly replied : 

“You recollect that my illness prevented its comple- 
tion. Why do you ask the question ? ” 

“ Because I dined with the artist day before yester- 
day.” 

“ With Monsieur Wavre ?” inquired the girl calmly, 
in spite of the emotion she experienced. 

“ Yes, in company with his brother-in-law, Colonel 
Morseux, who has just been attached to the Polytechnic 
School. A most agreeable man, this Monsieur Wavre, 
though apparently rather inclined to melancholy. An 
allusion to you made us friends at once.” 

Louise only smiled. Overcome with emotion, she 
no longer had strength to speak. 

“ A truly charming family,” continued Charles 
Yaconsin. “How devoted they all are to each other, 
and what an affable and brilliant man the young artist 
is ! He is a Jew, I believe.” 


116 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


“ Yes, a Jew,” replied the young girl, summoning all 
her courage in order to conceal her anguish. 

“ It is a pity, upon my word ! ” 

“ Why a pity?” 

“ Because he is the very husband I would have 
chosen for you, Louisette.” 

His sister pretended to recollect an order that must 
be given without delay, and rising suddenly, left the 
drawing-room. 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL 


117 


CHAPTER XII. 

ETIENNE GEELLA. 

A T half past ten the canon and Godefroy left the 
Bovilliers’ mansion. The former, delighted with 
the result that had been achieved, devoted himself, as 
they walked down the Avenue de lTmperatrice, to the 
task of enumerating the advantages of the projected 
alliance to his spiritual son. But the latter, even while 
responding to these remarks, remained absorbed in 
anxious thought as to the best means of procuring the 
four hundred thousand francs that he must have in his 
possession when the hour for the signing of the 
marriage contract arrived. Where should he obtain 
them? How should he do it? To what saints, or 
rather, to what expedients should he have recourse? 
Of course he had considerable time before him ; but if 
one dreads a day, it seems to be ever near. Besides, 
though it is easy for a man of fashion to squander four 
hundred thousand francs, it is terribly difficult for a 
man of fashion to regain four hundred thousand francs. 

For this reason Godefroy listened to the abb6 with 
divided attention. On reaching the Arc-de-Triomphe, 
they took a carriage. 

“ Where shall I set you down?” inquired the priest. 
“ It is not late,” replied the young man. 44 1 should 
like to see the last act of the ballet, at the Opera.” 


118 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


“Corner of the Rue Auber and the Boulevard,” 
R^mondat said to the coachman. 

Then, turning to Godefroy, he remarked : 

“You understand that it would not be seemly for 
me to be seen accompanying you to these places of 
perdition.” 

In spite of his pre-occupation, his companion laughed 
heartily. 

“ Ah, if you but knew how delightful these places of 
perdition are ! ” he exclaimed. 

But in going to the Opera, Godefroy was not influ- 
enced entirely by a desire for amusement. 

The house was crowded that evening. The stair- 
case de Gamier was lined as usual with a crowd of 
Englishmen in travelling costume, and provincials 
attired as for a wedding. Besides, as Godefroy had 
said, the performance was to conclude with a ballet, 
and consequently every regular subscriber occupied his 
arm-chair. It was the same ballet undoubtedly, danced 
by the same figurantes to a never ending waltz, to 
which no one ever listens ; but on the other hand, it is 
always the same opera, sung by the same stars, to mu- 
sic to which the habitues no longer listen ; and as it is 
the fashion to attend the ballet, there w r as not a vacant 
seat. And if you ask me why it is the fashion, I shall 
be obliged to reply that I cannot tell, for to me the 
performance is inexpressibly tiresome. 

As has been remarked before, the hall was filled to 
overflowing ; but Godefroy did not trouble himself 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


119 


about that, but slowly ascended the famous staircase 
and made his way to a box in the first tier, in the little 
salon connected with which, several overcoats were 
hanging, and a lovely pelisse lined with blue-fox had 
been thrown carelessly down upon a small divan near 
the door. He, in turn removed his overcoat, hung it 
up, and selecting a conserve from a package of bon- 
bons that lay on a little table, he entered the box. 

On hearing the portiere lifted, a lady seated in the 
front of the box, turned her head, extended a tiny 
hand encased to the elbow in a black kid glove, and 
responded to his bow with a little familiar and friendly 
nod. 

Two gentlemen were keeping her company, both in 
the toilet last decreed by fashion ; not a particle of 
watch chain visible, and barehanded. 

For you know as well as I do, that it is the height of 
vulgarity now, for a gentleman to wear gloves at the 
opera, or to allow any one to catch a glimpse of a sin- 
gle link of his watch chain. Why? You will perhaps 
inquire again, and I shall again be obliged to reply that 
I do not know, though I fancy this new decree is a 
sort of protest against the encroachments of the par- 
venues of the day. Probably the elite fancy these 
nobodies will invariably glove themselves carefully 
before appearing in public in order to conceal the 
coarseness of their hands, and that they will likewise 
neglect no opportunity to display a massive watch 
chain ; so real gentlemen, the sons of bankers, real 


120 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


estate agents, speculators, former foremen in factories 
now become manufacturers, and other representatives 
of the true aristocracy, have decided to distinguish 
themselves from well-to-do plebeians by affecting a 
carelessness of attire which will enable them to recog- 
nize each other at a glance. 

The two gentlemen Godefroy found in the box 
would not have put on their gloves for all the money 
in the world. 

One, a young man with a rather prepossessing face, 
genial voice and boyish air, certainly had not attained 
his majority, in spite of the blonde beard that adorned 
his chin. The greatest dunce in all the schools he had 
attended, he made up for his ignorance by a remarka- 
ble command of language and a loquacity full of 
genuine wit and clever repartee. 

He was the son, and the only son, of a grocer who 
had conceived the brilliant idea of opening, in different 
parts of the city, twenty or thirty provision stores 
where one could purchase anything one desired from 
sauer-kraut to live lobsters, from prunes and bananas 
to salt herrings; in short, everything on the face of 
the earth that one could cook, chew or drink, all at 
the lowest price, and delivered at your door by sixty 
wagons drawn by superb Percheron horses, driven at 
a swift trot by coachmen direct from London. The 
result had been a revolution in trade. 

But though the grocer had become immensely rich, 
he did not neglect his business and did not hesitate to 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


121 


visit the markets himself even now, when he desired 
to obtain a choice lot of goods for his patrons. 

With the son, it was quite different. Bitterly 
ashamed of his father’s vocation, he led the life of a 
prince, in company with all sorts of people who ridi- 
culed him unmercifully on account of his father’s 
business, and who pretended to be doing him a very 
great favor by tolerating him in their midst. 

He would willingly have given his right hand to 
induce his worthy parent to retire from business and 
cease to inundate the town with glaring advertise- 
ments in which his name appeared in gigantic letters. 
Ah ! his father’s name ! A terrible spectre, it glared 
at him from the fourth page of all the papers. Men, 
stationed on the corners of the street forced it into 
his hands, at the head of notices. He saw it flaming 
in red, green, blue, yellow and purple posters in the 
waiting-rooms of the railway stations, in horse-cars, 
omnibuses and steamboats. The unfortunate youth 
could not even lift his eyes to heaven without seeing 
that diabolical name in gigantic letters between two 
chimneys. 

Had this name been one of those common to five 
hundred families in France ; Durand, Boulanger, Le- 
roux, even Mathieu — it would not have mattered so 
much ; but no, it must needs be Valustruc, and when he 
was introduced to any one, the stranger never failed 
to ask : 

“ Are you the son of — ? ” 


122 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


“Valustruc, for cash, no credit,” he would reply, 
quoting the most prominent lines of the advertisements 
that had wrought his undoing, and forcing himself to 
conceal his discomfiture under a pleasantry. 

This habit dated back to his school days. His class- 
mates had t} r rannized over him in every conceivable 
fashion by means of this, “ for cash, no credit ; ” and 
more than one round of blows had been exchanged on 
that account. In fact, it had become a sort of bHe noir 
that spoiled all his pleasure. 

Not that his father denied him anything. Stupid as 
his son had shown himself at his examinations, the 
good man entertained the warmest admiration for him. 
He gave him all the money he could spend, allowed 
him a separate establishment with horses and carriages, 
coachmen, valets and grooms; everything, indeed, to 
place him on an equal footing with the most preten- 
tious and aristocratic of his companions. 

The gentleman who was with him in the opera box 
which Godefroy had just entered, was not likely to 
sneer at Valustruc either on account of his name or 
origin. He was about forty years of age ; a short, stout 
Corsican with a stolid and unmistakably vulgar face. 

Towards the close of the empire, he had realized his 
ambition ; that is to say, after coming to Paris in 
patched shoes or no shoes at all, he had succeeded in 
amassing a large, and what might be truly called a 
portable fortune, as it consisted entirely of first class 
securities. For one never knows what may happen. 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


123 


He had met with difficulties enough in acquiring this 
fortune ; he had been obliged to swallow enough 
rebuffs, and to endure enough mortifications from 
those he had served, to be firmly resolved not to 
expose himself to the danger of seeing it swallowed 
up in case of any political disturbance. Prudence 
bade him be ready to take flight at the first alarm, with 
his property in his pocket. 

Many of the creatures of the Empire anticipated 
similar dangers and took analagous precautions. 

To tell the truth, this particular individual had no 
reason to fear that his safety would be endangered, for 
he was a very insignificant person, invested with 
importance merely by reflection, or on account of the 
exalted personages behind him. Though he had no 
capital himself, he gave heavy orders at the Bourse 
that exerted a very potent influence on the market ; 
and to certain unpromising enterprises, he had acted 
the part of a saviour. When he advised a purchase 
or a sale in the lobby at the Opera, his friends went 
about whispering : 

“ That stock is going up, my dear fellow ! ” 

“ How do you know ? ” 

“ I have received some reliable information.” 

“ From whom ? ” 

“From Etienne Grella.” 

Every one knew that Etienne Grella, in turn, 
received his information from persons who occupied 
high official positions, and people followed his counsels 
with confidence. 


124 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


Still, he never speculated on his own account. And 
why should he ? From the fees he received, and the 
commissions granted him by agents and brokers, he 
gradually amassed such a handsome fortune that after 
the crisis of 1871 , he came to the conclusion that he 
had worked long enough, and that he deserved to enjoy 
the rest of his life. 

Moreover, circumstances had made a different man 
of him, arousing new aspirations, and a longing for 
consideration which the resumption of his business 
would not have satisfied. 

At Brussels, during the siege and the Commune, he 
encountered a lady whom he had previously met in 
certain imperial circles, the Countess des Orniers. 

A woman, superb in her beauty — for she was 
much more than a pretty woman — superb also in her 
manner and bearing. Her chestnut hair, with its 
golden reflections, imparted to her clear skin a bril- 
liancy which riveted attention. Her deep greenish- 
gray eyes, in which a smile was ever lurking, seemed 
to say far more than she wished; and between her 
rather full, dewy lips gleamed small, even teeth of 
pearly whiteness. 

Her charms and the very perfection of her beauty 
seemed to hold you at a 'distance. However familiar 
might be her greeting, the less ceremony she displayed, 
the more one was compelled to respect her, in spite of 
the intense desire one felt to win her favor. 

The daughter of a political refugee and a modiste on 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


125 


the Rue de la Paix, she found herself, at the age of 
eighteen, a penniless orphan, afflicted with very 
worldly tastes ; and the superior of one of the most 
fashionable of Parisian convents, where she had been 
educated at great expense, found a situation for her 
as governess in a noble family in one of the inland 
provinces. 

The family consisted of the father and mother and 
two children, a girl of twelve and a young man aged 
about twenty-four. After a six months sojourn in the 
Chateau des Orniers, the beautiful orphan naturally 
became a power in the household, the master of it 
being an old rouS, aged at least fifty-seven, who had 
married, when only twenty-two, a cousin about his 
own age, and who, far from having completed the 
sowing of his wild oats, still prided himself on his 
marital infidelity and his conquests. 

The result was a terrible but quiet drama, at the con- 
clusion of which the governess left the house, but not 
without her revenge, for her pupil’s brother joined her 
two days afterwards, and married the young lady out 
of hand, without being dismayed in the least by the 
prospect of his parents’ curse. 

His father died of jealousy ; whereupon, the young 
man’s mother, freed from the conjugal yoke, undertook 
to separate him from the beautiful coquette whom the 
Evil One had placed in his path to try his virtue and 
imperil his chance of Heaven. 

The mother found this no easy task, especially as her 


126 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


clever and unscrupulous daughter-in-law, who ruled her 
husband completely, speedily acquired a firm hold on 
imperial favor. Nevertheless, the widow’s perseverance 
finally triumphed over all obstacles ; and one fine day 
she furnished her son with conclusive proofs of his 
wife’s infidelity. 

The next morning at daybreak, a duel took place 
between him and the man who had wronged him, in 
which he received a dangerous wound. 

His honor seemed to every one so well vindicated 
that the prosecution of the lady was abandoned, and 
the matter ended in a legal separation. The wife con- 
gratulated herself on this, for she had for a long time 
found her by no means brilliant husband terribly in 
the way ; and the charming lady continued to shine in 
the fashionable society of the period. 

The defeat of Sedan proved a fatal blow to her 
prosperity, however; and when Etienne Grella met 
her in Brussels, the Countess des Orniers was at the 
end of her resources, and all her jewels were in pawn. 
He begged the favor of relieving her of her embarrass- 
ment, and in this way obtained a hold upon her 
which she found it impossible to shake off. The con- 
descension of this fashionable lady inflated his vanity 
until it became absolutely absurd in its pretensions. 
His relations with her was a sort of brevet of rank 
to him : and nothing in the world could have induced 
him to break such a flattering bond ; on the contrary, 
he would have disputed his prey with the entire world. 


A GHI*LD OF ISRAEL. 127 

Woe to the man who might even ostensibly make 
an attempt to supplant him ! Remarkably skilful 
in the use of all weapons, he would certainly kill 
his rival like a dog, without troubling himself in the 
least about public opinion or the consideration due 
the lady. 

Though she occasionally rebelled against his tyr- 
anny, she found him of service in so many ways 
that she did not give him his dismissal ; but she 
was deterred from doing so rather, perhaps, from 
a fear of arousing the brutal ferocity of his nature 
than by selfish considerations, though since his 
return to France he had put her in a way to make 
a fortune, a very modest fortune, it is true, but 
one that nevertheless enabled her to maintain a 
very respectable establishment, while waiting for some- 
thing better. Besides, he was becoming rather more 
reasonable, and provided he could be seen in her 
company the rest mattered little, as his pride only was 
involved. 

On entering the box, the canon’s prot^gd included 
the entire party in his bow, but Grella and Valustruc 
having gone out during the intermission, his maimer 
towards the countess suddenly changed. 

“ I must have a talk with you at the earliest possible 
moment,” he said hurriedly. 

“ On the subject of your marriage ? ” 

“ Exactly.” 

“ Have the Bovilliers returned ? ” 


128 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


“ I dined with them this evening.” 

Valastruc re-entering just then, the conversation 
ceased ; but as the countess was leaving her box at 
the close of the performance she found an opportunity 
to whisper: 

“ To-morrow is my day. Come in, and take a cup of 
tea at eleven o’clock, and we will see what can be done 
to extricate you from your dilemma.” 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


129 


CHAPTER XIII. 

A SYMPATHIZING FRIEND. 

HIE Countess des Orniers occupied a handsome flat 



JL on the Boulevard Malesherbes. The main draw- 
ing-room was furnished in a style of severe elegance ; 
beyond it was a little Louis Fifteenth salon, crowded 
with articles of furniture which not only belonged to 
that age but were absolutely historical. There was not 
a chair upon which one of the favorites of that amiable 
monarch had not at some time or other seated herself, 
nor a screen, nor a fan that had not its history. On 
the other side of the hall, a kind of Oriental boudoir 
hung with authentic tapestries opened into an admira- 
bly kept conservatory. 

Every Thursday all these apartments were filled 
with a crowd of influential and agreeable gentlemen, 
interspersed with perhaps a dozen very plain and unat- 
tractive ladies. The majority were the wives of men 
who had formerly held positions under the government, 
some were the treasurers or presidents of charitable 
societies ; in short, a number of foils collected by the 
mistress of the house with great care. Here, the differ- 
ent factions of the opposition met as if by chance, and 
talked, without any fear of compromising themselves, 
of the coalitions and the Coup d' Etat about which 


8 


130 A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 

many rumors were rife, finding in the residence of the 
countess a neutral ground where they could talk and 
scheme to their heart’s content. 

When Godefroy arrived there, late in the evening 
on the day following the interview at the Opera, the 
rooms were only half full, for the notables having 
departed to show themselves elsewhere, only the lesser 
lights remained. Being a prudent person, the countess 
had also successfully manoeuvred to rid herself of 
Grella and of young Valastruc, who was the greatest 
gossip on earth, and whose sharp and spiteful tongue 
nothing could check. Having succeeded in this, she 
did not even wait for the other guests to take leave to 
grant a private audience to Louise’s betrothed. 

44 Go to my room,” she whispered, 44 1 will be there 
in a moment.” 

In fact, Godefroy had not spent five minutes in a 
sort of boudoir, closed to the profane, when the coun- 
tess appeared and flung herself upon a divan, the 
luxurious cushions of which nearly concealed her 
from sight. 

“Well, what is the matter with you, my big baby?” 
she exclaimed. 44 You displayed a very doleful visage 
last evening in my box. Tell me your troubles.” 

44 Ah well,” replied the young man, “I am to be 
married in two or three months ; and unless I confess 
to the canon that I have spent the four hundred thou- 
sand francs I inherited from my mother, I shall be 
obliged to show the amount to the notary who has 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


131 


been intrusted with the preparation of the marriage 
contract.” 

“I understand; it is an extremely embarrassing 
position.” 

“By no means,” replied the young man, “if I only 
had some friend who would be willing to loan me the 
amount for twenty-four hours.” 

“ For twenty -four hours ? What do you mean ? ” 

“ It is very simple. Suppose you had four hundred 
thousand francs in securities or bonds, and you were 
confiding enough to loan them to me for a day, taking 
a receipt from me, of course — ” 

“ You are a simpleton,” said the countess, interrupt- 
ing him. “ If I had the money you know very well 
it would be at your disposal, without any security.” 

“ Then you would commit an act of unnecessary 
imprudence,” replied Godefroy. 

“Why?” 

“ I might die ; and in that case you would be simply 
robbed, in spite of me, and of anything you might 
say. But let us go on,” he added, wisely thinking 
that this was a very senseless discussion, as she did not 
possess the money. “So if any one would trust me 
to-morrow, for instance, with the sum I am supposed 
to possess, I could place it in the hands of the notary, 
and when the contract had once been signed, and the 
benediction of the Church obtained, I could restore it 
to its owner without any trouble, as it would have been 
the means of securing me about a million and a half. 
Do you catch my meaning, now ? ” 


132 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


“ Only too well,” she replied, in a peculiar tone. 

Though a person may say nothing, a lack of princi- 
ple on the part of a comrade always shocks one a little, 
in spite of the secret and ill-defined satisfaction a man 
always experiences on finding a comrade more unprin- 
cipled than himself. If this had been only a question 
of deceiving a prospective father-in-law or a notary ; in 
short, a man, it would have mattered little. But to 
dupe an innocent young girl who had seen nothing of 
the world, and who believed her betrothed an honor- 
able man! Except in case of a personal and well 
developed resentment generally inspired by jealousy, 
women seldom lose a certain esprit de corps, an 
instinctive unity of feeling that protects them wonder- 
fully from any intentional injustice on the part of the 
other sex. 

The scheme in which Count d’Aitignies seemed 
anxious to interest her, was at first bitterly distasteful 
to this woman who had shown no mercy to those she 
had made use of in advancing her own interests ; but 
Godefroy explained his plan with such perfect frank- 
ness, and such an evident freedom from anything like 
compunctions of conscience, that she soon became 
comparatively reconciled to it; besides, she was really 
very fond of him. Old as he was, she treated him like 
a child, and had an inexhaustible fund of indulgence at 
the disposal of her “ big baby ” as she called him, so 
smiling in spite of herself, she remarked : 

“Are you aware that what you propose is not 
strictly honest ? ” . ^ 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


133 


He looked at her in evident astonishment. 

“ But why not?” he demanded in a tone of profound 
conviction. “What is there so very wrong about it? 
Is it not done every day in the best society ? ” 

Evidently, this was an unanswerable argument in 
his opinion. The countess having none equally potent 
to offer, soon entered into a discussion with him on the 
ways and means to be employed. Where could he find 
a friend sufficiently confiding and reticent to loan him 
the money under such circumstances ? 

“ There is a person,” she remarked, after reflecting a 
moment. “ But it is a man who is not remarkably 
fond of you, and who is even absurdly jealous of you.” 

“ Etienne Grella ? ” inquired the young man. “ That 
would really be too absurd.” 

The countess also laughed and gave her companion 
a blow with her fan. 

“ Still, I know of no one else at all likely to do you 
such a favor,” she rejoined. 

Godefroy made a very expressive grimace as he 
replied : 

“In that case, I may as well reconcile myself to 
my fate.” 

Then naively anxious and perturbed in mind, he 
added : 

“ There is no hope for me. My affairs are in a 
terrible condition. To say nothing of my creditors, 
who are likely to pounce upon me at any moment, the 
canon would almost take my head off. I do not know 


134 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL 


what is to become of me. There is nothing in the 
world except this marriage that will enable me to main- 
tain my rank in society; for if I am sold out, as I soon 
shall be, I shall either be obliged to go to Africa or 
turn monk.” 

His evident sorrow conquered her completely. 

“ Leave it all to me,” she whispered. “ I will attend 
to it ; and at any hour you wish, you shall be able to 
produce the four hundred thousand francs which will 
assure your wife’s dowry, and — and, yes, it is Etienne 
Grella who shall furnish them.” 

u In spite of his jealousy ? ” 

“ On account of his jealousy.” 

“ I do not understand you.” 

“What does that matter, provided your object is 
attained ? ” 

“But I wish to understand.” 

“Ah,” she exclaimed with an expression of tri- 
umphant cunning, “you are not very deep, my poor 
boy ! I shall be indebted to his jealousy for the 
means of enabling you to contract this marriage. 
Instead of making any objection, he will gladly accede 
to my wishes, certain that this union will create an 
insurmountable barrier between us.” 

Godefroy regarded her with intense admiration. 
How clever this woman was ! How adroitly she would 
extricate her husband from any difficulties! Ah, if 
she were only free, how glad he would be to marry her ! 
He felt that by entrusting his future entirely to her 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


135 


and blindly yielding to her guidance, he would attain 
an exalted position. Why was it that insignificant and 
sickly Count de Orniers should retain such a tenacious 
hold on life. The sword thrust he had received in his 
duel, far from destroying his health, seemed to have 
produced a favorable crisis in his physical organization ; 
and the news that his divorced wife received of him, 
was not of a nature to give her any hope of a speedy 
release. On the contrary, he was leading with his 
mother, the healthy life of a country gentleman, gain- 
ing flesh, developing his muscles, and threatening to 
outlive the most vigorous of his generation. 

While Godefroy was engaged in these reflections, 
the countess was considering the probable conse- 
quences of this marriage which she had promised to 
effect. Persons who are dishonest themselves, find it 
difficult to believe in the honesty of others, and she 
had no idea of being made a dupe. 

“ What kind of a person is your betrothed ? ” she 
asked at last. 

“A marriageable girl, nothing more or less.” 

“Pretty?” 

“ Not bad looking.” 

“ Intelligent ? ” 

“ She Is one of those young girls who have been 
allowed too much freedom, and who are induced to 
rebel against rightful authority by an unfortunate love 
of investigation. Though very well-bred, she thinks 
she must express an opinion on any and all subjects ; 
in fact, she is in a state of continual revolt.” 


136 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


The young man’s criticism was certainly of a 
nature to reassure the countess. Evidently, Gode- 
froy was not very deeply infatuated with this young 
girl. Still, she was resolved to satisfy herself on this 
point. 

“ Are you in love with her ? ” she inquired, looking 
her companion full in the face. 

“ What an idea ! ” 

One point only remained in doubt. The most 
depraved and unscrupulous men are sometimes strange- 
ly sensitive where their wives are concerned. 

“Will you present me to her?” she asked. 

“ Certainly,” he replied without the slightest hesi- 
tation. 

“And will you receive me openly at your house?” 

“ Why not?” 

“ You know I have enemies who might prejudice her 
against me and tell her ” 

“ Have no fears of anything of that sort,” exclaimed 
Godefroy indignantly. “ Rest assured that I intend to 
be master of my own house.” 

“ Ah,” murmured the Countess, “ I suppose you will 
find it difficult to believe that I am making a great 
sacrifice in allowing you to marry.” 

He interrupted her by falling on his knees before her. 

“ I have never loved, and I shall never love any one 
but you,” he whispered, kissing her hands with an 
emotion which was not altogether feigned. 

The lady while abandoning her hands to his kisses, 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


137 


was deeply absorbed in a mental survey of the situa- 
tion : but coming to a sudden and final decision, she 
took his head in her two hands and looking him full in 
the face, said : 

“ You are my big baby, and I was foolish and unjust 
to distrust you, so I swear that Etienne Grella shall 
furnish you with the means of obtaining possession of 
the little Bovilliers’ million and a half.” 




138 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


CHAPTER XIV. 


THE ARTIST S HOME 


AR up in the Quartier des Martyrs , at the end of 



JL the Rue de Br4da, is a square known as the Cite 
Frockot . It was formerly a small park, which has 
since been divided into building lots, upon which villas 
of divers kinds have been constructed, that are in sum- 
mer almost concealed by the luxuriant foliage in which 
they are embowered. 

Here, a number of artists and writers have taken up 
their abode, forming a quiet colony whose tranquillity 
is not disturbed by the noise of Parisian streets. 

Pierre Wavre occupied the most unpretentious of 
these dwellings. To reach it, one was obliged to pass 
through a garden upon which no care had ever been 
bestowed. In the early spring-time it was filled with 
the perfume of lilac blossoms, but afterwards only a 
mass of verdure was visible. 

A single path overgrown with moss, led from the 
low wooden gateway to the short flight of steps before 
the door; then one entered a square antechamber fur- 
nished with tall and heavily carved Flemish chairs of 
varnished oak. On one side, was a narrow stairway 
which one must ascend to reach the young man’s cham- 
ber. That apartment contained nothing worthy of 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 139 

mention ; a bed, a chest of drawers with brass trim- 
mings, four odd chairs standing on a well worn carpet, 
a small clock, between a pair of candelabra, — nothing 
of value, — a place to sleep in, that was all. 

Back of this was a dressing room quite comfortably 
arranged by his predecessors. 

The small dining-room was furnished more elegantly. 
It contained several pieces of choice faience , and some 
curiously wrought vessels in copper and bronze. In 
each corner, on a pedestal, stood a bronze statue of a 
torch-bearer, which imparted to the room an essentially 
feudal aspect. 

At the farther end of the antechamber, folding doors 
opened into the studio. 

There was nothing extraordinary about this apart- 
ment, lighted from the north, except its gigantic dimen- 
sions. The furniture consisted of incongruous chairs, 
a Louis Sixteenth cabinet, a table of the style of the 
First Empire, and a square piano. But easels of every 
shape, plaster casts of. antique statues, and sketches 
completely covered the gray walls. On the floor, stood 
a large number of pictures in all stages of completion, 
and a platform covered with a Turkish carpet of sub- 
dued tints, for models. In short, it was a studio with 
no other character than that of assiduous labor. 

One morning, Pierre who had risen at daybreak, was 
there busily engaged in completing a landscape from 
sketches brought from Italy, when suddenly the bell 
attached to the wooden gate rang loudly. 


140 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


“It is the postman,” Pierre thought. “I wonder 
who can have written to me.” 

But no ; after the sound of a hurried opening and 
shutting of doors, the voices of children resounded in 
the antechamber, and almost instantly two chubby 
faced boys burst into the room, seizing him around the 
legs, and crying : 

“ Good morning, uncle ! ” 

Behind them appeared a young and blooming woman 
whose face was radiant with health and happiness, and 
whose arms and hands were laden with packages of 
every form and size. 

“If we disturb you, so much the better,” she ex- 
claimed gayly. “ A whole fortnight has passed since 
you have paid us a visit, so we invited ourselves to 
breakfast with you this morning. Relieve me of all 
my bundles so I can embrace you.” 

Consigning to his charge the viands and fruits with 
which she was laden, she seated herself without cere- 
mony, pulled the artist down on his knees before her, 
and taking his face between her small, daintily-gloved 
hands, deposited several hearty, motherly kisses upon 
his cheeks. 

“ Shame on you, monster ! ” she cried, “ for making 
us pine for you so long. Now, pay me back some of 
the kisses you owe me.” 

As the reader has probably guessed, this young lady 
was Pierre’s sister, Magdalene, the wife of Colonel 
Morseux, who had recently been appointed examiner at 
the Polytechnic. 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


141 


She had been so delighted at this appointment. 
Thanks to it, she would be able to see her brother 
almost constantly ; a great pleasure to her who had 
been so long separated from him on account of his long 
sojourn in Rome, and afterwards, by the necessity of 
following her husband to country garrisons. 

And now this naughty brother instead of availing 
himself of the privilege thus afforded, held himself 
aloof. Why ? She had asked herself this question in 
vain ; so, sure of an affectionate reception, she had deter- 
mined to pay him a visit, not to demand an explana- 
tion — for though married, she felt for her elder brother 
a sort of filial respect, peculiar to the Israelites — but 
to remind him of her desire to see him often, if it were 
only that he might be a witness of the domestic happi- 
ness with which she was blessed. 

Pierre allowed himself to be scolded and caressed, 
remaining on his knees before her, and gazing at her 
with a pleased look in which one could read both 
gratitude and admiration. He admired her, for from 
this young woman, to whom duty seemed so simple and 
easy a matter, emanated a truly healthful and benefi- 
centdnfluence ; and on seeing her there, accompanied 
by her two children who were the very picture of con- 
tentment, the romantic visions which had been invoked 
by his recollections of Louise, took to themselves wings. 

What pangs of disappointed love, or sullen rage or 
imaginary despair could linger in the presence of Mag- 
dalene, one’s very ideal of a wife and a mother ? In 


142 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL 


her, true happiness and the truest love were personi- 
fied ; and by contrast, the passion which had been tor- 
menting him seemed paltry and morbid; something 
very like infatuation. 

u You are most welcome,” he replied, returning her 
kisses. “ Make yourself at home ; give any orders you 
like, and lend to my abode a festive air. The sight of 
you rejoices my heart and imparts new life, and I 
adore you.” 

A hearty voice, a trifle boisterous in its gayety, 
responded to this outburst of affection by a loud 
w Bravo ! ” 

It was Colonel Morseux who had just entered. He, 
too, had his hands and pockets filled with dainties, 
which he deposited one by one on the corner of the 
table, with an air of wonderful complacency, unmindful 
of the merriment of his wife and children who were 
laughing immoderately. 

He had purchased the very same articles Magdalene 
had brought, and like her, was ostentatiously enume- 
rating them. The breakfast was consequently doubled ; 
and when the colonel discovered the fact, he laughed 
even more heartily than the others. 

Under such conditions, it was impossible for the 
repast to be a melancholy one. To relieve the artist’s 
only servant, every one rose to set the table except 
Pierre, who was not allowed to do so. This was 
because he was the head of the family, and because in 
spite of the mirth that prevailed, tradition required 
him to preside at the repast. 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


143 


The Jews have certain family customs which nothing 
can change, though they are customs that do not pre- 
vent affectionate freedom and familiar affability. This 
reverence for the head of the household seems to run 
in the blood, a reverence tinged with religious feeling, 
and supremely tender in its nature. Thus, on taking 
their places at the table, Pierre seated himself first, 
while the others remained standing until the younger 
of the two children, whose place was on the left of the 
patriarch, had recited aloud a short prayer, entreating 
the blessing of the God of Israel. 

This invocation consisted of barely twenty words, 
twenty words, quickly spoken with all the confiding 
simplicity of an artless soul which honors a God whom 
it does not fear, because it feels and knows and believes 
that this God can exist only under the condition of 
being ineffably and inconceivably merciful and good. 

“ You can scarcely imagine how delighted I am to 
find you in such good spirits this morning,” said Mag- 
dalene, placing her hand on that of her brother. “ The 
last two or three times you were at our house you 
troubled us greatly by a depression of spirits which 
you tried in vain to conceal from us. Not daring to 
question you, but wounded by your reserve, and your 
apparent want of confidence in us, we indulged in a 
thousand absurd but depressing suppositions. Thank 
God, that is all over now. You are yourself again and 
I am rejoiced.” 

It is true,” added the Colonel, “ and though I felt 


144 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


that I had no right to intrude upon your confidence, I 
had fully made up my mind to ask you to relieve our 
anxiety.” 

Pierre gave his brother-in-law his hand, and address- 
ing his sister, said : 

“ There was no real cause for anxiety. An artist’s 
life is not unfrequently disturbed by such crises, in 
which one distrusts one’s self and the future. Solitary 
work is the cause of them ; weariness of the brain pro- 
duces nervous prostration, and one becomes morose 
without really knowing why. I have quite recovered 
from my recent attack now; your kindly scheme of 
invading my retreat has chased away the last grim 
phantoms.” 

They left the table to return to the studio, in which 
room coffee was served. The children amused them- 
selves in a corner with one of their uncle’s sketch- 
books ; and Magdalene, half reclining in an arm-chair, 
watched them out of the corner of her eye, while the 
gentlemen smoked. 

“ How are you progressing with your exhibit for 
the Exhibition?” Morse ux inquired suddenly. 

“ And of what will it consist?” asked his wife. 

“ Of two pictures,” replied Pierre. “ The landscape 
upon which I was working when you came in, and a 
large picture, a sketch of which you saw last summer, 
I believe.” 

“ Is it completed ? ” 

“Not yet. I have sedulously avoided working on it 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


145 


for more than two months. It had become a mere blur 
of colors that dazzled my eyes, and I was obliged to 
put it aside for awhile.” 

“ Shall you begin work on it again soon ? ” 

“ To-morrow, for, as you see, my landscape is com- 
pleted.” 

Magdalene and her husband exchanged a glance as if 
to mutually encourage each other to commit an indis- 
cretion to which they were certainly impelled more 
forcibly by fraternal interest than curiosity. 

The venture was finally made by the lady. 

“ There is no great difference between to-day and 
to-morrow, is there? They seem to me much the same 
thing. You would confer a great pleasure by showing 
us your picture while we are here.” 

41 Very well,” replied the artist. “I will do so pro- 
vided you will express your honest opinion in regard 
to my work. I ask this as a favor, and shall be really 
obliged to you if you will do so.” 

As he spoke, he pushed back the platform, and 
arranged the curtains in such a way as to admit a very 
strong light into the studio : these preparations having 
been completed, and his critics seated at a proper 
distance, he slowly turned an easel upon which rested 
a large canvas, which had previously stood face to 
the wall. 

It was a historical subject : an episode of the reign 
of the Spanish Inquisition. 

On one side of the court-yard of a palace stood a 

9 


146 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


number of Jewish families who, to escape persecution 
or compulsory conversion, had attempted to leave the 
country in spite of the law forbidding it. They were 
guarded by the soldiers who had overtaken and cap- 
tured them in their flight. 

Aged men, women and children, covered with dust, 
and wan with fatigue, huddled close together with 
an expression of resignation rather than fear, upon 
their faces. In the foreground, one of the number, a 
young man with bound hands and garments torn in a 
supposed struggle, was casting a look of proud tran- 
quillity and scorn, a look of defiance, on some priests 
and prelates belonging to the court of the prince 
before whom the captives were to be led. In the 
back-ground, a crowd. 

For the principal figure, a young girl, surrounded 
by maids of honor, who was surveying these unfor- 
tunates with haught} r curiosity. In spite of her beauty 
and charms of person, there was in her expression a 
fanatical sternness that contrasted strangely with her 
youthful loveliness. There was cruelty in her eyes, 
the arrogant triumph of a soul darkened by a savage 
faith. 

It was upon this cruel maiden that the eyes of the 
artist riveted themselves; and in his face one could 
read a mingled contempt and pity for this young and 
beautiful girl who gazed so insultingly at the van- 
quished. 

For a long time the Morseux family stood silently 
contemplating the picture. 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 147 

“ It is very beautiful,” exclaimed Magdalene at last, 
with pardonable pride. 

“Very beautiful,” repeated Morseux. “I do not 
see what you can do to improve it.” 

“A few slight changes; some half-tints to darken, 
and some luminous points to bring into more vivid 
relief.” 

There was another silence. Then the eldest child, 
leaning towards its mother, and pointing to the princi- 
pal figure, exclaimed : 

“ Mamma, look at that pretty lady. She looks like 
the sister of that officer with whom we dined the other 
day at the general’s.” 

“ That is a fact,” said the Colonel. “ It seemed to 
me I had seen that face somewhere. Do you not 
notice the resemblance, Magdalene ? ” 

“ Of whom are you speaking ? ” 

“ Still, it can easily be explained,” resumed Monseux. 
“Pierre began her portrait, and the features of his 
model have remained indelibly impressed upon his 
memory. You must know whom I mean : Lieutenant 
Vaconsin’s sister.” 

“Mile. Louise?” exclaimed Magdalene, suddenly 
turning towards her brother. 

She saw that he was very pale and evidently 
troubled by an emotion which he was striving hard 
to overcome, and this afforded her a partial explana- 
tion of the sadness which he had not entirely succeeded 
in concealing from her. 


148 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


She recollected the singular letter Pierre had written 
to her during his sojourn at the Chateau de Bovilliers, 
a letter in which he had expressed his astonishment at 
his inclination to speak at such length, and so exclu- 
sively of the daughter of his host. Oh, poor, dear 
Pierre ! Could it be that he who was always so mind- 
ful of the happiness of others, was so unfortunate as 
to love without hope, and to be placed in one of those 
situations where the most untiring devotion can avail 
nothing? 

Perhaps the young man read his sister’s thoughts, 
for assuming a smiling face and a careless tone, he 
replied quietly : 

“ It is quite possible. Like certain composers 
who fancy they have invented a melody which they 
have only unconsciously remembered, it is not improb- 
able that I, without being aware of it, have given to 
my figure the face and expression of the young lady 
you allude to.” 

Then after another quite prolonged scrutiny, he 
added : 

“Well, yes; there certainly are some points of resem- 
blance. Still, no one will perceive them, and I fear I 
should spoil the entire composition if I attempted to 
make any changes.” 

Magdalene was only partially deceived, and perceiving 
this, and mastering himself completely, he remarked : 

“ Then you have met her?” 

“ Last week, at a little dinner given by the superin- 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


149 


tendent of the school who is connected by marriage 
with the Baroness de Bovilliers. If there is any truth 
in the proverb, your ears must certainly have burned 
that day.” 

“ Why, did you talk of me ? ” 

“ For a long time.” 

“ With her ? ” 

“ No, with her brother, Lieutenant Charles Yaconsin. 
A charming young man who would certainly have a 
brilliant future if he did not express his democratic 
opinions quite so openly. If he talks as freely to every 
one as he did to me, it will be a wonder if his father 
does not try to induce some of his friends to make way 
with him.” 

“ I scarcely remember him,” replied Pierre ; and 
believing his sister entirely reassured, he changed the 
subject. 

When the clock struck five, the young artist’s guests 
declared that they must leave him, so he escorted 
them to the gate, placed them in a carriage, and prom- 
ised to pay them a speedy visit, then, with an altered 
face, he returned to his studio, and abandoned himself 
to his memories. 

Twilight found him still sitting in silence before his 
canvas ; and in proportion as the shadows rendered his 
composition more confused, his thoughts seemed to 
undergo a corresponding change ; and once, two big 
tears which had been slowly gathering in his eyes, 
rolled down his cheeks, without his taking the trouble 


150 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


to dry them. Then, suddenly springing up with face 
on fire, and clenched hands, he uttered an exclama- 
tion of intense anger. The martyrdom of his race 
passed before his mental vision ; and a deep hatred for 
the oppressors of his people filled his heart. He 
longed for vengeance. He, in turn, longed to defy, 
insult and vanquish them. 

While engaged in painting Louise as the principal 
figure in his picture, he had constantly reproached 
himself for making her so beautiful. No ; this girl 
who contemplated with dry eyes, these prisoners, cul- 
pable only in having attempted to flee from the tortures 
to which they were to be subjected in the name of a 
Merciful God ; this girl who, instead of interceding 
for these unfortunates, surveyed them with a haughty 
glance in which disgust was dominant, could not be 
beautiful. What weakness had prevented him from 
depicting upon this countenance the hideous moral 
deformity that disfigured the nature of its possessor ? 
He determined now, to make such changes in the pic- 
ture that the resemblance which had struck Magda- 
lene’s child, should be so unmistakable as to compel 
JLouise to recognize herself. 

At that moment, he hated himself for the tears he 
had just shed, and for the grief he had experienced 
since their separation ; and he summoned all his pride 
to aid him in stifling a love which seemed to him now 
a pitiful weakness. 

But in spite of his efforts, pride did not win a victory 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


151 


after all, greatly as he longed to triumph over this girl, 
to humiliate her and arouse her regret. 

All this was a foolish dream against which his reason 
protested ; a feverish crisis which, in spite of all his 
efforts to close his eyes to the truth, convinced him 
that this hopeless passion had taken complete posses- 
sion of his heart. 

Just then, the woman who took care of his apart- 
ments entered with a lamp, bringing his letters and the 
evening paper. 

He glanced abstractedly over the letters, and unfold- 
ing the paper purely from force of habit, ran his eyes 
rapidly over the columns. Suddenly, a great tension 
seemed to fall upon his nerves, and through a mist 
that seemed to have abruptly obscured his vision, he 
deciphered this paragraph in the list of contemplated 
marriages : 

“ Count Godefroy d' Aitignies {rentier) to Mile. Louise 
Vaconsin (de Bovilliers ) without profession .” 

“ Ah well, so much the better ! ” he cried passion- 
ately. “ Thank God ! I am delivered now, cured of an 
absurd love which my imagination alone endowed with 
importance. I was mad. Let us think no more 
about it ! ” 

And going up to his chamber, he dressed himself, 
intending to go in search of some of his acquaintances 
in order to dine and spend the evening at a place of 
public amusement. 


152 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


On putting on his hat he began to laugh bitterly. 

“ To think that I could have been such a fool ! ” he 
exclaimed. 

Then with a little disdain, he added: 

“ So she has contented herself with that simpleton. 
It is true, that he is baptized. They can attend church 
together ; they will fast on Friday and go to confession 
in company: consequently theirs will be a happy 
household. Unity of faith is an important requisite. 
She will possess that. Much good may it do her I ” 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


153 


CHAPTER XV. 


AN UNEXPECTED MEETING. 

MAGNIFICENT fete was in progress in the 



JL\. salons of the Minister of Public Instruction and 
of the Fine Arts. As we have said, a strong tide of 
reaction had set in, and the famous general who up to 
that time had gone by the name of the 44 illustrious 
conqueror,” but who like any other marshal was 
soon to be anathematized under the title of an 44 illus- 
trious executioner,” had just appointed a number of 
officials whose chief duty seemed to consist in enter- 
taining society, so the salons of the Elyses were 
continually ablaze with lights, and a round of enter- 
tainments was held there at which the Conservatives 
deemed it necessary to show themselves in order to 
add as much as possible to the glory of their triumph. 
They must, indeed, feel very secure, and be fully in 
accord on all points, to amuse themselves so publicly 
in open defiance of public opinion. 

The fete was truly superb. There was a concert in 
the principal salon ; selections from different operas, 
with comic scenes by Potel, Berthelier and Madame 
Thdo, which prelates heartily applauded, determined to 
sustain the government on every point, and on all 
occasions. 


4 * 


154 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


Among the guests there were not a few who 
attended from a sense of duty, and among the num- 
ber was Baron Vaconsin de Bovilliers, who had been 
obliged to argue a long time with his wife in order to 
induce her to accompany him. He had even been obliged 
to call in the assistance of Abbti Remondat, who had 
carried the day by repeatedly assuring the Baroness — 
n£e de Belencour, that the hydra anarchy had received 
a terrible blow. 

Louise, who had also made some objections at first, 
seeing how her mother shrank from the ordeal, had 
offered to accompany her, and this delighted the 
baron. 

What risk would the ladies run after all? A corner 
should be found in which they could install themselves, 
their attendants would form a circle around them 
which would serve as a rampart, and they need remain 
only just long enough to have their presence noticed 
by the Ministry. 

The first person they saw was Godefroy d’Aitignies; 
and on perceiving them, he at once left a group of 
acquaintances to come and speak to them. In the 
centre of the party which he had deserted, was a lady 
who instantly attracted the attention of Louise, first, 
by reason of her beauty, and afterwards, by the scruti- 
nizing, almost impertinent look she bestowed upon the 
young girl. 

“ Who is that lady ? ” Louise asked. 

“ The Countess des Orniers,” replied Godefroy. 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


155 


“ I do not know her.” 

“So much the better, Mademoiselle,” added the 
hearty voice of Colonel Morseux who had approached, 
on recognizing the ladies. 

Godefroy looked at him with some anxiety. What 
was the colonel going to say about his particular friend? 

Nothing good evidently; and in fact, the baroness 
had no sooner ensconced herself in a comfortable corner 
and exchanged a few polite remarks with Magdalene 
and her husband, than she requested the colonel to tell 
her what he knew about the lady in question. 

“ And you are intimately acquainted with this 
lady ? ” Louise said to Godefroy in evident surprise 
after the colonel had concluded his remarks. The 
necessity of denying the countess while she was exert- 
ing herself to do him such a signal service was very 
disagreeable to the young man. 

“ Many of her friends are my friends,” he replied, 
with pretended indifference, “and I pay a visit to her 
salon occasionally as one visits any house which one is 
likely to desert at any moment from weariness, caprice 
or indifference. Besides, Colonel Morseux is perhaps 
too severe. Though I am not ignorant of the reports 
circulated about this lady with more or less charitable- 
ness, I must, if I speak the truth, declare that I have 
never noticed anything in the least out of the way at 
her house.” 

“ Then your friend Etienne Grella has better eyes, 
my dear sir,” was the colonel's laughing reply. 


156 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


“Is he the originator of these stories?” 

“ He circulates them, at least, when jealousy raises 
his blood to fever heat.” 

This silenced Godefroy. He had certainly excited 
Grella’s jealousy, and he trembled lest the colonel 
should indulge in some allusion which would not 
escape Louise. 

But these apprehensions were soon relieved, for 
Morseux lowering his voice, reminded Godefroy that 
only a short time before the Corsican had uttered 
terrible threats against young Valastruc. 

Reassured upon this point, Godefroy soon perceived 
another danger. The countess was recalling him to 
her side by imperious glances. It would not do to 
offend her ; but to desert the Bovilliers, for one who 
had just been spoken of in such disparaging terms 
would have amounted to an actual protest. 

Doubtless the canon would extricate him from this 
difficulty, for he had just appeared near the door, and 
was now engaged in conversation with a young man 
whom he seemed delighted to meet. 

“ Look at M. Remondat,” exclaimed Magdalene 
laughing. “He will certainly draw down upon him- 
self the censure of the Vatican by such a display of 
kindness and courtesy to a heretic.” 

“Where is he?” inquired the baroness. 

“ There, near the door. Do you not see that he has 
just slipped his arm through that of my brother ? ” 

“M. Wavre? oh, yes,” replied the baron. “I shall 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


157 


be charmed to meet him again. But what is the canon 
doing? Instead of bringing him to us he is taking him 
to the Conference.” 

By the Conference, the baron meant the little group 
which had assembled around the Countess des Orniers, 
and to which the canon was leading the artist in order 
to present him to the Recamier of the clerical coalition. 

“ He is probably not aware of your presence,” said 
Godefroy, eagerly seizing upon the means of escape 
thus afforded. “ I will go and inform him.” 

Louise did not notice his departure. The name 
uttered by her father had startled her so much that she 
had all she could do to maintain her composure. 

As he was present, and in the company of the canon, 
and as Godefroy was about to tell them both that 
the Bovilliers and Colonel Morseux and wife were 
there, there could be no doubt that Pierre would 
speedily make his appearance. 

Would she be able to show him a calm and unmoved 
countenance ? What a strange meeting after their last 
interview that evening when, under the influence of 
some strange hallucination, they had so ingenuously 
revealed their mutual love ! It seemed to the young 
girl now, that she had betrayed him, and that she owed 
him an explanation of her weakness and of her breach 
of faith. 

And what stand would he take ? What must he 
think? Did he know that she was betrothed to 
Godefroy ? 


158 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


The meetings one dreads most are often attended 
with wonderful simplicity. This was the case in the 
present instance, both Louise and Pierre having had 
abundant time to prepare themselves for it. 

Captured by Remondat, the artist, after being in- 
formed of Mile. Louise’s presence, allowed himself to 
be introduced to the beautiful Madame des Orniers 
without attaching the slightest importance to the pre- 
sentation, and while exchanging a few commonplace 
remarks with her, had time to steel himself against the 
emotion that was to follow. Certain acquaintances 
whom he met near the countess aided him not a little 
in his efforts, so on approaching Louise, he had his 
feelings completely under control, and when the canon 
proposed that they should pay their respects to Madame 
de Bovilliers, the young man acquiesced with a willing- 
ness which completely deceived even the crafty abb6. 

The reader may recollect that while watching these 
two }mung people one morning on the steps at the 
Chateau de Bovilliers, the canon had detected the 
interchange of an only too eloquent look when he 
asked their opinion of Godefroy, and that this look had 
caused the worthy priest dire misgivings ; and now, in 
spite of the time that had elapsed, and the ease with 
which Louise had been induced to accept the Count 
d’Aitignies, the abbe had not forgotten that sarcastic 
glance, and he blessed the kindly fate which had 
enabled him to play the part of an attentive witness 
at a meeting between the artist and his model after 
such a long separation. 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


159 


But he perceived nothing that need arouse any appre- 
hensions. Both, being prepared, were more than equal 
to the situation ; and they exchanged greetings with a 
Calmness and apparent serenity which surprised them- 
selves, as well as the canon and Magdalene, who did 
not once take her eyes from them. 

In the mean time, the countess was subjecting Gode- 
froy to a rigid cross-examination. 

44 Why did you tell me your betrothed was not bad 
looking ? ” she asked. 44 She is remarkably beautiful. 
You know, my dear boy, that I am very willing to 
devote myself to the task of establishing you com- 
fortably in life, but I do not intend you to amuse 
yourself at my expense now or afterwards.” 

44 That is sheer nonsense,” replied Godefroy. 44 1 
have told you the plain truth in regard to my feelings. 
This marriage is purely a matter of business with me, 
and however beautiful she may be in the eyes of the 
rest of humanity, to me she is simply passable looking, 
and that is all. It is her dowry I marry, as you know 
very well. One must listen to reason. You know me ; 
you know the situation in which I am placed; you 
know that I must marry, or accept irretrievable ruin. 
Now, frankly, put the dowry in one side of the scales, 
and the charms of this St. Agnes in the other, and 
decide which determines me.” 

Madame des Orniers was silent for a moment, then 
she inquired: 

44 When will this marriage take place?” 


160 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


“Next month; on the twentieth of July.” 

“Where?” 

“At Bovilliers.” 

“ I will not consent to that.” 

“Why?” 

“ I wish to be present ; and in that case, it would be 
impossible.” 

“ Where do you wish it to be, then ? ” 

“ Here, — in Paris.” 

“But how can I induce them to consent?” 

“ I will take care of that.” 

“ But ” 

“Do not give yourself the slightest uneasiness. 
Your father will arrange all that.” 

Godefroy turned pale. 

“ My father ? ” he stammered. 

The countess laughed scornfully. 

“ Do not give yourself the trouble to say any more. 
I understand matters. Only listen attentively, Mon- 
sieur d’Aitignies, — it is I, do you understand, who will 
tie the white cravat you put on for the ceremony on 
the eventful day.” 

“ At that very moment Louise was saying to Pierre 
in the same tone she would have used in speaking of 
the weather : 

“Shall you send a fine exhibit to the Salon this 
year, Monsieur Wavre ? ” 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL 


161 


CHAPTER XVI. 


UNHEEDED WARNINGS 



TY dearest,” began the Baroness de Bovilliers on 


ItJL entering her daughter’s chamber one morning; 
“you really must aid us or we shall never get through 

in time.” 

“Aid j T ou in what, mamma?” 

“In directing the cards of invitation for your mar- 
riage. That miserable canon has beguiled us into 
consenting that the ceremony shall be performed in 
Paris, though what can have put such a whim into his 
head I fail to understand, for you must remember very 
well that he agreed with us in thinking it best for the 
marriage to take place in the country. But now, he 
has suddenly changed his mind; his wonderful successes 
must have turned his head, I think ; and here we are 
in Paris, and here we are to remain until after your 
nuptials, that is, until the middle of July. Was ever 
anything so absurd? But it is decided, so let us say 
no more about it. Still, there are only a few days left 
now, and as these invitations must be sent out at once, 
your father and I are at our wits’ end. If you do not 
lend a hand, more than a third of them will not reach 
their destination until the morning after the ceremony. 
I certainly am fond of you, Louise, but I consider 


10 


162 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


myself very fortunate in having no other daughter to 
marry off. If I had, I should certainly go mad.” 

“ Give them to me, mamma,” responded Louise 
laughing. “I will WTite until I lose the use of my 
fingers.” 

As she spoke she sprang out of bed, slipped on a 
dressing-gown and seating herself resolutely at her 
writing-desk, she dipped her pen into the ink with a 
business-like air. 

The baroness watched her a moment, then gave vent 
to her feelings by exclaiming : 

“ Do you know that you astonish me ? ” 

“And why?” 

“You seem completely unmoved by the near 
approach of this great change in your life. Usually, 
marriage awakens no little anxiety in the heart of a 
young girl.” 

“ That depends entirely upon one’s education and 
the circumstances,” replied Louise. “ Why should 
you expect me to feel anxious? It is you and my 
father who are marrying me ; I have nothing to say in 
the matter. I have confidence in you ; of course you 
have taken every care and precaution ; and as you 
say to me : “ This is the husband I have chosen for 

you,” I trust to your judgment, and I am going 
straight on with closed eyes.” 

“ But does this husband please you ? ” 

“ Enough for me to consent to unite my life with his.” 

“But — I do not know exactly how to express it — 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


163 


interference is always such a very delicate matter in 
these cases.” 

“Not between you and me, mamma. Tell me 
plainly what is on your mind.” 

“ Ah well, do you love him ? ” 

Louise smiled. 

“ As people love in a romance ? No ; that is very 
certain ; and even if anything should occur to break 
off the match, I confess that I should not feel the least 
desire to drown myself, or to take the veil.” 

“ I hope not, indeed, my dear.” 

“No; there is not the slightest danger of that: but 
nevertheless, I do not hesitate to say that I expect to 
become reasonably fond of my husband, if he does not 
do anything to prevent it. I refrain from judging him, 
and am simply waiting until married life teaches 
me to know and appreciate him. I do not think his 
is a very romantic temperament, which may be re- 
garded as an advantage or a disadvantage according to 
the stand-point from which one views the matter. It is 
so much the worse for him, perhaps ; and certainly, so 
much the better for me ; for, as he will not be exacting, 
there will be no necessity on my part, of resorting to 
deceptions which are always painful. Understand me, 
mamma,” she added, “the necessity of establishing 
myself in life being apparent and unquestionable, I 
submit to it with good grace ; that is the main thing ; 
and as this can be effected only by marriage, I unhesi- 
tatingly comply with your wishes. As to the husband 


164 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


you have chosen for me, provided I have reason to 
respect him and to desire to please him, he will win 
from me a very true and faithful affection. WLat more 
can I say ? On the whole, I am anxious to be to him 
not only a good wife, but a wife who will do him honor; 
and if he desires it, a helpmeet in the truest sense of 
the word.” 

“But if, instead of Godefroy, we had chosen the 
next comer — ” 

“ It would have been exactly the same. Why, mam- 
ma, you do not suppose because I have received a 
beautiful bouquet that cost at least a louis, from my 
betrothed every morning for three weeks, that I pass 
my nights in dreaming of the moon.” 

“ No, but your calmness frightens me a little ! ” 

“ What an idea ! ” 

“ I fear it is resignation rather than contentment.” 

“Resignation is too strong a word. Besides, you 
and my father have exercised no compulsion; conse- 
quently there can be no such thing as resignation in 
this connection.” 

Though the baroness continued to question her 
daughter for some time, she could extort no more 
explicit avowal from her. Then she compared her 
early experience with that of her daughter. Once 
more she saw herself with eyes swollen with weeping, 
wildly contending against her father in her resolve not 
to accept the husband he was forcing upon her, and 
she said to herself that Louise was extremely for- 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


165 


tunate in comparison, and left her finally, almost 
persuaded that she had done everything maternal 
solicitude demanded under the circumstances. 

“In any case,” she said to herself on regaining her 
own room, “ she is certainly perfectly comme il faut .” 

And driving away divers doubts and scruples that 
her son had awakened in her mind, she exclaimed : 

“ Charles is blind ! What can have led him to suppose 
that his sister is sacrificing herself? The dear boy has 
a morbid imagination. I discovered it a long time ago, 
when he first began to prate about his liberalistic ideas, 
ideas which are most unbecoming in a child of mine. 
If he troubles me any more, I shall send him to Louise. 
Now, I will finish the detestable task of addressing 
this pile of invitations. I will wager anything that 
M. de Bovilliers is taking his time with his. That man 
has sworn to displease me in everything, even the 
pettiest detail.” 

After her mother’s departure, Louise set about her 
work in earnest ; but suddenly, on turning a page of 
her list, she saw a name that made her start : 

M. Pierre Wayre. 

With eyes fixed upon this name, she fell into an 
unconscious reverie. All that had passed between 
them, recurred to her mind ; and again, in spite of her 
resistance, she was obliged to admit that she loved with 
a deep and absorbing passion this man whose religion 


166 A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 

she had been taught to scorn. Unconsciously, she 
compared Pierre with the man to whom she was about 
to bind herself for life. What a contrast ! The very 
impossibility of denying the artist’s superiority incensed 
her against him. Why — if he loved her, and if he 
understood he was loved in return — had he not 
sacrificed his mistaken and culpable belief to his love ? 
What besides an overweening vanity could have pre- 
vented him from abjuring his heresy? Did he love 
her or not? If he did love her, why had he not made 
the sacrifice ? 

But when her natural honesty compelled her to ask 
herself the same question, she found herself in a 
dilemma from which she could extricate herself only 
by the great argument of women, by saying to herself 
in all sincerity: “That is an entirely different thing.” 
For would she not be compelled to deny the true God 
by forsaking her religion, while Pierre’s faith was only 
a wicked and unpardonable error. 

But did he love her? 

She was unable to answer this question. How 
could she be certain that the short romance at the 
chateau de Bovilliers had not been the result of fleet- 
ing impressions born of picturesque surroundings and 
constant companionship ? Since their separation, was 
it not more than probable that Pierre had forgotten her? 

What reason had she to think otherwise? Was it 
not quite as likely that his absolute silence was the 
result of forgetfulness as of prudence ? 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


167 


Then she thought of the morning when he had 
at last given her his hand after he had so sternly 
refused to do so, and the recollection of the blissful 
happiness she had then experienced, quickened the 
beating of her heart and made her bosom heave with 
emotion. 

Just then some one rapped at her door. Never was 
an interruption more unwelcome. It seemed to her 
that she had suddenly fallen from heaven, and for an 
instant, without any idea of the time or place, she 
stared vacantly at her brother who had just entered. 

“ I have come to breakfast with you, Louise,” said 
the lieutenant, “ and afterwards, I will take you to the 
Salon which will close to-morrow.” 

“The Salon? What Salon?” she inquired, still 
unable to collect her thoughts. 

“To the exhibition of paintings.” 

“ That is true, I have not been there,” she said 
absently. 

“ Nor I, and I thought you would like to do so.” 

“ Certainly, especially with you. Mamma has de- 
ferred going from day to day. Will she accompany 
us?” 

“ No ; she and my father are prevented from doing 
so by an appointment with the notary.” 

About two o’clock the brother and sister alighted 
from their carriage before the Palais de l’lndustrie, 
and made their way slowly through the crowd to the 
galleries on the right. There were only a few pictures 


168 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


of special merit on exhibition there, and their progress 
was comparatively unobstructed ; but on attempting 
to enter the large hall at the end of the corridor, they 
found it difficult to effect an entrance by reason of the 
crowd assembled before a large painting that occupied 
the principal panel. Some time elapsed before they 
could advance near enough to obtain a good view of 
the picture ; but at last they succeeded, and the young 
girl lifted her large and beautiful eyes to the composi- 
tion which was attracting almost universal attention. 

It was a revelation. Without requiring to be told 
by her brother, who had glanced at his catalogue, she 
instantly felt that this was Pierre’s picture ; and at the 
very first glance she recognized herself in the tall 
figure of the haughty and fanatical young girl who 
stood there gazing with proud disdain upon the prison- 
ers. She also divined the secret thought and motive 
of the artist, and she remained spell-bound. 

These, then, were the sentiments he had imputed 
to her; this was the opinion he had formed of her 
character. 

Blind man that he was ! 

She was both grieved and angry ; and how gladly 
she would have detained him here in the midst of the 
crowd, and whispered: 

“ You have misunderstood and misjudged me. I am 
not that proud girl, so bound up in herself and her 
faith as to be able to contemplate without emotion 
captives whose only crime is the worship of another 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


169 


divinity than hers. I do not deserve the look of 
scornful pity you have caused to be cast upon me, like 
an insult, by this child of your race, in whom you 
must have personified yourself. To portray me as I 
really am, you would be obliged to give me tearful 
eyes, to make me clasp my hands entreatingly and 
beseech those cruel men for mercy, to depict upon my 
features an expression of compassionate terror that 
would have convinced your prisoners that I would 
stand between them and the tortures that were being 
prepared for them.” 

But of what avail was this mental protest? Who 
heard it, and who could change the opinion Pierre had 
formed of her? Would he ever consent to listen to 
her defence ? Every thing here in the picture revealed 
a desire for revenge. 

Revenge ! The word reminded her of the questions 
she had asked herself that very morning. 44 Does he 
love me ? Did he ever love me, or was that which had 
passed between us at the chateau merely the result 
of a fleeting fancy, born of picturesque surroundings 
and constant companionship ? ” 

Ah, no! The aggressive character of the compo- 
sition proved, on the contrary, that Pierre had not 
forgotten, and that, unable to find relief in indifference, 
he was trying his best to hate her. 

She experienced an undefined but bitter joy which 
she was not at all inclined to analyze ; and she longed 
to close her eyes and abandon herself unreservedly to 


170 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


the memory of those days passed together — the one 
romance of her life. 

“It is really a superb work!” exclaimed her brother. 

“ Is it not ? ” she responded quickly. 

“ I have heard it remarked that the principal figure 
is very like you. Do you notice a resemblance?” 

“ One can not see one’s self very well ; still, I do not 
think I possess either such perfection of beauty or such 
sternness of expression.” 

44 1 am not so sure on the last point.” 

“ What do you mean? ” 

“You say one can not see one’s self. There is 
occasionally in your eyes, beneath your contracted 
brows, a flashing light which must have made my future 
brother-in-law reflect more than once, if he has ever 
noticed it.” 

“Do you think he spends much time in that way? ” 
inquired Louise, smiling. 

44 In reflection ? My dear sister,” continued Charles, 
“everything is decided and arranged, and it is advi- 
sable for me to keep my opinion to myself ; still, this 
manner of speaking of a man who will be your husband 
in a week, surprises me a little, I confess, and I once 
more wonder why you have accepted him.” 

44 1 repeat that it would be all the same if it were 
any one else, since girls of my rank in life must 
conform to the customs of the sphere to which they 
belong.” 

44 Only up to a certain point, however.” 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


171 


“What point? Explain, if you please. For example, 
let us suppose I had replied to my parents : ‘No, I do 
not like M. d’Aitignies ; he is too tall and too near- 
sighted ; his disposition does not please me, and I beg 
that you will allow me to marry some one else’ — the 
painter of this picture, for example.” 

“Well?” 

“Well, you, my dear brother, would have been the 
very first to say : ‘ Louise, you lack pride ; you forget 
who we are. M. Wavre possesses talent, undoubtedly; 
he probably has a brilliant future before him, and a 
name that will become illustrious; but he is not only 
an artist, but a Jew, and your love for him is unbe- 
coming in the extreme.’ This is what you would 
have replied, my good brother.” 

“ You are mistaken, Louise,” replied the young man, 
firmly. “ Our father might perhaps have used such 
language, and mamma, yes, mamma would have talked 
herself hoarse, but I should have said nothing of the 
kind.” 

“No?” 

“ No, my dear, I should not have uttered a word of 
these pretended objections; but on the contrary, taking 
you into a quiet corner and holding your pretty little 
hand closely in mine, I should have said : ‘ If you lbve 
him, Louisette, you must marry him, and I am going 
to take such steps as will enable you to do so as 
speedily and easily as possible.’ ” 

“ What ! you would have consented for me to 
become the wife of a Jew?” 


172 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


“ Why not, if he had won your heart ? What does 
the form under which one worships God matter, so that 
one worships him? And certainly, it would, in my 
opinion, be far more honest and sensible and more com- 
mendable for you to marry a Jew who had inspired 
you with love and respect, than to marry a Catholic so 
constituted that } t ou can feel for him even now, only a 
spirit of toleration. You think you are performing a 
praiseworthy act in uncomplaingly accepting the unin- 
viting fate that awaits you. You are wrong, Louise. 
Duty, for an intelligent woman consists in the fulfill- 
ment of her entire mission. To marry, without love, 
is, believe me, no way to set a good example to a 
family. Though I do not wish to evince a lack of 
respect, you will understand what I mean when I tell 
you to look at our own parents. Their marriage was 
very similar to the one you are about to contract, and 
see the result. They have a house, but where is the 
home? There is no unity of feeling: and the father’s 
authority is contested, or submitted to only under pro- 
test, by a woman who considers herself infinitely his 
superior and who yields him no respect, a woman, but 
no wife. And what has been the result so far as you 
and I are concerned? I have left a house where I 
could not approve the course of one parent, without 
exciting the anger of the other. Compelled to love 
them separately, without being able to unite them in 
my heart, drawn first this way and then the other by 
their opposing influence, I wished to avoid being made 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 173 

a judge in their frequent controversies, I separated 
myself from both of them, and formed for myself an 
existence, convictions and ideal utterly unlike theirs. 
The same causes have produced an analagous, though 
apparently different effect upon you. You remain a 
member of the household, but you annihilate your own 
individuality, and turning a deaf ear to the siren voice 
of j^outh, and sacrificing the natural aspirations of 
twenty years, through indifference or a mistaken sense 
of duty, you are about to make a very foolish marriage. 
At least, it is a suitable one, you say. Are you sure of 
that ? How do you know that others as well as myself 
are not surprised that you should consent to accept as 
a husband a man who has neither merit, good looks, 
talent nor fortune ? Do you think people would have 
been much more surprised to learn that Mile. Yaconsin 
was about to wed a talented Jew who had already won 
an enviable reputation, and who was handsome, bril- 
liant, talented and comparatively sure of a great future 
and a large fortune? You are behind the times, my 
dear; you have not taken the trouble to notice the 
changes that are taking place in regard to the Israelites 
in modern society. Scan the list of awards made by 
the University of France. Among the laureates you 
will always find Jewish names. Even outside of finan- 
cial circles, where the sons of Israel reign undisputed 
masters by their traditional business talent (it is from 
them too, that we have learned the laws that govern 
banking, exchange and circulation) you will find them 


174 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


everywhere in the foremost rank. At the bar, in the 
army, in manufactures, in the sciences and especially, 
in the arts, they have been at least on a par with their 
Catholic rivals, since the Revolution made them men 
and citizens. Glance in the salons of the new aristoc- 
racy; there, you will find many of them, all holding an 
honorable place. In fashionable society at Trouville, at 
the watering places in the Pyrenees, and on the Medi- 
terranean, they may be seen in great numbers mingling 
with the most exclusive aristocracy of the world. This 
race, Louise, oppressed and persecuted for eighteen 
centuries, has reached an epoch in which its genius, 
released from the odious shackles that condemned it to 
obscurity, is not unlikely to conquer the world. 
Already, the part which the Jews are taking in social 
life entitles them to the same consideration we enjoy; 
and twenty years from now, when a girl like you takes 
an Israelite for a husband, the affair will not only fail 
to create any disapproval, but to use your own words, 
it will be considered an eminently suitable match. 
Rest assured, Louise, so far as I am concerned, had M. 
Wavre asked your hand in marriage, I should have 
pleaded his cause warmly, for I should not have been 
sorry to have you set a useful example.” 

Louise was silent. 

“Well, I have preached you quite a sermon,” con- 
tinued the young officer gayly; “you must find me a 
terrible bore ; and since this is only a suppositious case, 
let us continue our examination.” 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


175 


Louise followed him mechanically; looking at the 
pictures before which they paused, without seeing 
them, hearing none of her brother’s criticisms, and 
answering his questions only in monosyllables. 

She was completely bewildered, and she repeated 
her brother’s assurances one by one, still unable to 
believe that he had uttered them. Was she really 
awake ? 

What she had just heard had completely changed 
the opinions of this girl who had deemed it a sacri- 
lege, worse than a sacrilege, not to overcome her love, 
since it was also a disgrace in the eyes of the world. 

And here was Charles, a man of rank and a strict 
observer of the proprieties of life, suddenly tearing 
away the veil, and proving that her scruples were 
absurd, and unworthy of serious consideration. 

An hour afterwards, as they were descending the 
steps of the palace, they encountered a young man to 
whom Charles bowed smilingly. 

“ Good morning, Lieutenant,” responded the new 
comer, lifting his hat. 

Charles Vaconsin offered his hand. 

“ Let me present you to my sister, my dear sir,” he 
said ; then : * 

“Monsieur Octave Valastruc, my former sergeant, 
who was left for dead upon the plain of Avron.” 

When the gentleman passed on, after a few polite 
remarks, Charles remarked : 

“ There is another person who is being induced to 


176 


A CniLD OF ISRAEL. 


spoil his life by a fatality of birth. Talented, brave, 
and immensely rich, he might reasonably aspire to a 
brilliant future ; but the unfortunate name of Valas- 
truc which his father parades everywhere through the 
capital, provinces and foreign lands, inflicts upon him a 
humiliation which his vanity greatly exaggerates. He 
dares not aspire to any of the exalted positions which 
his natural intelligence and wealth would certainly 
enable him to attain, from a fear of competitors who 
would taunt him with the frenzied advertizing in which 
his father indulges. Here is another young man, 
Louise, of whom a sensible and courageous girl could 
make a faithful and devoted husband.” 

On his part, the son of the grocer exclaimed in indig- 
nant and jealous surprise : 

“ What ! is this the girl that fool of a Godefroy is to 
marry. Poor child ! to what misery they are con- 
demning her ! ” 

Then, bitterness rendering him cynical, he added : 

“Upon my word, I am going to ingratiate myself 
into the Count d’Aitignies’ good graces. It is not 
unlikely that his wife will need a consoler.” 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


177 


CHAPTER XVII 


AN UNPLEASANT PREDICAMENT. 
FEW da} r s later, Godefroy gave a grand dinner, 



Tl to celebrate, according to custom, the close of his 
bachelor life. It was a sumptuous repast; the table 
glittered with superb silver and cut glass ; the odor of 
truffles was mingled with the perfume of choice flowers, 
and in spite of the great mountain of ice in an immense 
onyx urn the temperature of the apartment sent one’s 
blood up to fever heat. 

Indescribable disorder now reigned upon the table, 
which was strewn with fragments of the feast, glasses 
still filled with champagne, the stumps of cigars and 
fruit parings. Around the board sat about twenty 
guests smoking and drinking; some were discussing 
the latest bit of scandal ; some were exchanging opin- 
ions upon the political situation, and a laborer as deeply 
under the influence of liquor as many of them, would 
have excited unmitigated disgust. But these gentle- 
men, one and all, belonged to the fashionable world, 
and you know as well as I, that the intoxication of 
wealthy persons can not be likened to that of the 
vulgar herd. One is a slight failing ; the other is 
beastliness. The quality of the wines makes the 
difference. 


11 


178 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


Soon, the conversation became general, and any 
number of coarse jests were aimed at the host, in lan- 
guage worthy of the heroes of a realistic romance. 

Either because he had imbibed less than the others 
and despaired of reducing them to anything like order, 
or because other matters demanded his attention, 
Godefroy left his guests just as the clock struck eleven. 
Going into his bedroom, he put on an overcoat and 
passing out by another door to avoid re-entering the 
salon from which came the sounds of a terrible uproar, 
he made his escape without taking leave of any one. 

No one noticed his departure, for just at that 
moment the guests were boisterously singing the 
refrain of a so-called romance d V Assommoir, which 
would have cost any gamin who hummed it in the 
streets at least one week’s imprisonment. 

Rejoiced at his deliverance, the abb6’s protege 
hastened from the house, and twenty minutes after- 
wards reached the house of Madame des Orniers on 
the Boulevard Maleslierbes. 

That lady was evidently expecting him. 

“ Here you are, at last,” she remarked, extending 
her hand. “ How are your guests ? ” 

“ All as drunk as Robespierre’s executioner.” 

“And Grella?” 

“ He has had his fill. I should not be surprised if 
he were sleeping the sleep of the just in the midst 
of the uproar, greasing my sofa cushions with his 
pomaded head. But I do not reproach him. On the 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


179 


contrary, I am so grateful for the service he has just 
rendered me, that I am not inclined to complain of 
any injury he may do my furniture.” 

The countess appeared satisfied, and offering Gode- 
froy a seat beside her on the sofa, she remarked : 

“ Yes, thanks to my exertions, your embarrassment 
is at an end. The notary is satisfied, to-morrow, the 
mayor will perform the civil ceremony, and on the 
conclusion of the religious rites two days later, you 
will find yourself the master of a handsome fortune.” 

“ An unexpected result, for which I am extremely 
grateful.” 

“ Truly?” 

“ Why should you doubt my gratitude ? ” 

“ I am certainly entitled to it. Without feeling any 
desire to exaggerate the value of my services, and 
without dwelling upon the advantages which will 
accrue to you from this marriage, I can truly say 
that this alliance would have been an impossibility 
without my aid.” 

“ I admit this without the slightest hesitation, and 
again assure you of my gratitude.” 

“ Which you will probably prove by ignoring me in 
the future.” 

“On the contrary, I intend that you shall be a fre- 
quent and an honored guest in my household. I wish 
to see you there constantly, in order that you may be 
thoroughly conversant with all that is going on, and 
that I may have the benefit of your valuable advice.” 


180 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


The heart of the countess dilated with a secret satis- 
faction which her companion did not suspect in the 
least. She cared very little about his gratitude, or any 
possible influence she might exert in his household ; she 
only desired to be received there. She had arrived at 
that psychological s*tage in which women of sullied 
reputations are suddenly attacked with an unconquer- 
able thirst for respect and consideration. Naturally 
clear-sighted, she was not deceived in regard to the 
nature of the homage paid her by the frequenters of 
her salon. They visited her openly; assured her of 
their respect, and overwhelmed her with compliments 
and marks of deference ; but not one of her most inti- 
mate friends had ever brought his wife, his sister or 
his mother. Her invitations to these ladies were 
always declined on pretexts that they endeavored to 
make plausible : illness, absence or previous engage- 
ments, — so many dagger thrusts to the pride of this 
woman who wished to entertain ladies at her house, 
like every one else. 

Occasionally, some few of her more intimate friends 
invited her to visit them ; but this was usually during 
the summer or in the country, and she almost invaria- 
bly found that her entertainers were alone. One might 
almost say that they lived with closed doors during her 
stay with them ; not a Parisian, not a relative, not a 
neighbor appeared. And what a significant reserve and 
circumspection were displayed by the hostess. Noth- 
ing but “ Madame ” from the first day to the last, in 


A CHILD OF ISttAEL. 


181 


spite of the “dear madames” the countess lavished 
upon the mother, and the u dear child ” with which she 
tried to cajole the daughters. There seemed to be a 
wall of ice between her and these ladies — an insur- 
mountable barrier which betrayed a silent contempt, 
only concealed out of obedience to the head of the 
family. She instinctively felt that he had said : “ She 
must be received. It is impossible for me to do other- 
wise. I demand the sacrifice.” 

These details, not one of which escaped her notice, 
rendered her life most unsatisfactory ; and there were 
hours when her failure to obtain this coveted admis- 
sion into society made her almost resolve to take 
refuge in a convent or to plunge into the depths of 
infamy; but Godefroy’s projected marriage opened a 
new field before her and revived her courage, by ren- 
dering her comparatively sure of ultimate success. 

It had been this incentive which had induced her to 
make such superhuman efforts to insure this marriage ; 
besides, to prevent him from deserting her, she must 
have some hold upon him ; there must be between 
them some secret, the more dishonorable the better, 
which he would fear to have divulged, and which 
would place him at her mercy. 

Her victory had been so easily won that it astonished, 
and almost alarmed her ; but on reflection, her appre- 
hensions vanished. She knew he was too simple- 
minded to attempt to deceive her, and too timid to 
incur any risk of offending her. The only thing she 


182 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


had to fear was that this timidity would prevent him 
from being master in his own house ; in which case, 
all her labors would be lost. 

But her frequent conversations with Godefroy served 
to restore her confidence. Seeing that he regarded 
his marriage purely as a business transaction, a means 
of paying his debts and living comfortably, that is to 
say, without changing his habits or making any con- 
cessions to the wife who had enriched him except to 
occasionally accompany her to the theatre or to enter- 
tainments, and that, only on condition that she should 
adopt his tastes, consent to this mode of life and 
accept his friends, all his friends, Madame des Orniers, 
in particular, her misgivings were to some extent 
dispelled. 

Still, crafty people are never tranquil in mind ; and 
though Madame des Orniers was comparatively sure 
of Godefroy’s sincerity, she resolved to sound him 
still further. 

“ Listen, baby,” she said, with a smile of motherly 
protection. “ I am satisfied of your good intentions, but 
you know very little about the lady who is to become 
your wife to-morrow. I have many enemies, as I have 
said before, and they will perhaps speak of me to her 
in disparaging terms, and she maj^ resolve to close her 
doors against me, more or less publicly. It would be 
doing only what she has a perfect right to do, you 
must admit. Recollect that here is a young girl who 
brings you a handsome fortune, and extricates you 


A CHILI) OF ISRAEL. 


183 


from a most embarrassing position. So long as you 
live, you will not drink so much as a glass of water 
that she has not paid for ; that she should be resolved 
to choose her own mode of life, and her own associates 
is only natural.” 

“Natural or not, I once more repeat that I intend to 
be master in my own house, and I swear that you 
shall be a frequent and honored guest there.” 

“ You swear it?” said the countess, fully reassured. 

“ Upon my word of honor as a gentleman ! ” 

In her exultation she took his face in her two hands 
and kissed him daintily upon the cheek, exclaiming : 

“You are charming.” 

Just then, the bell of the outer door sounded. The 
pair gazed at each other in evident alarm. 

“ Grella ? ” asked Godefroy in a whisper. 

“ Yes, Grella,” replied the countess, angrily. 

“ What is to be done ? ” 

Louise’s future husband did not lack shrewdness, 
and he instantly perceived that to incense Grella just 
now, was to lose the use of the four hundred thousand 
francs which would insure the signing of the marriage 
contract, and make the consequent abandonment of 
the marriage a certainty: in short, there would be a 
devil of a row generally, as he elegantly expressed it, 
with reproaches in plenty from the canon, and a never- 
ending procession of creditors, rendered intractable by 
disappointment. This frightful prospect completely 
paralyzed the brain of the honest youth ; and though 


184 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


realizing the imperative necessity of making his escape 
with the greatest possible dispatch, he sat there vaguely 
wondering if there would be any great danger in drop- 
ping down from the window into the street. 

“ Go into my room,” said the countess, quickly. 

“ Take a book and do not move.” 

Godefroy allowed himself to be pushed into the 
adjoining chamber by his friend, but being in a state 
of mind verging on abject terror, he remained near 
the door, holding his breath to listen. 

His disappearance v^as timely, for barely a second had 
passed when Grella entered the boudoir in which the 
countess was seated. Godefroy had not exaggerated 
in stating that the gentleman had had his fill ; he had 
had far more. If a policeman had encountered him in 
the street in such a condition, and clad in a cap and 
blouse, he would have unhesitatingly conveyed him to 
the station-house. He entered with an idiotic laugh 
which the countess regarded as an evil omen, for how 
was feminine craft to triumph over the drunken obsti- 
nacy of this brutal creature ; but nothing daunted, she • 
eyed him haughtily from head to foot. 

“ Is it you ? ” she asked, as if unable to believe her 
eyes, “you who venture to present yourself here at 
such an hour?” 

“Excuse me, Josephine,” the lady’s benefactor 
stammered, not without considerable difficulty. 

“In the first place, I forbid you to address me by 
that name. My maid has not gone to bed : and I do 


A CHILD OF ISTIAEL. 


185 


not intend you to put on airs that it does not please 
me to tolerate.” 

“ Pardon,” he said sulkily. “ I was on my way 
home, and seeing a light in y r our window, I thought 
you would not refuse me a eup of tea.” 

“ At half past twelve o’clock at night? You must 
be jesting.” 

“ I am thirsty, terrible thirsty.” 

“Not from any lack of drinking, I should judge.” 

“ It is being in the open air that has made me so. 
Really, I do not feel at all well.” 

“ I am very r sorry, my friend. In y^our present con- 
dition, sleep is the best thing for you.” 

“ That is true ; I will lie down here upon the sofa.” 

“Here, in my house? Oh, no; and as it would be 
only a waste of time for me to state my reasons, I will 
merely say: Go, and atDnce.” 

“Go?” 

“ Instantly.” 

“You send me away?” 

. “ Most assuredly, and at once and without any^ fur- 
ther explanation. To-morrow, you will understand 
the heinousness of your offence, and you will come to 
make your excuses. I will then see if I feel inclined 
to accept them. At the present time, you are in no 
condition to understand me ; so go, and go quickly, if 
you would avoid a free expression of my opinion, 
and of the unconquerable disgust with which you 
inspire me.” 


186 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


One of the peculiarities of intoxication is a desire to 
parley and argue ; and Grella, who was constituted 
much like other people after all, attempted to advance 
arguments somewhat irrelevant in their nature, and 
when the countess checked him resolutely, he became 
angry. 

“You need not try to play the duchess with me !” 
he exclaimed. “If you think you can frighten me, 
you are counting without your host. I intend to 
maintain my claim upon you against one and all. Take 
good care that I discover no proofs of your unfaithful- 
ness. I am not afraid of scandal, and though it costs 
me a term in the penitentiary, I give you my word of 
honor that I will kill the first man I catch interfering 
between you and me.” 

This brute, too, talked of his word of honor with 
unruffled composure. 

A fine position this for Godefroy who, in his place 
of concealment, missed not a single word of this forci- 
ble but vulgar harangue. Sometimes the blood 
mounted to his forehead, and he longed to rush out 
and bid open defiance to this barbarian ; but this bar- 
barian had placed four hundred thousand francs in 
his hands only the evening before, and the recollec- 
tion of this fact caused the listener to restrain his ire. 

When Grella finally paused to take breath in the 
midst of the torrent of abuse and insults that was 
flowing from his lips, Madame des Orniers, in a 
perfectly calm voice, said : 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


187 


“Have you finished? Very well. Whatever your 
opinion of me may be, I assure you I shall not make 
the slightest effort to change it ; but you will do me 
the favor to retire without saying any more on the 
subject. It would be a pity for such an honorable man 
as yourself to continue to feel any interest in me, so 
farewell.” 

Grella appeared positively thunderstruck. 

“ What, you make no attempt to defend yourself?” 
he exclaimed. 

“ None whatever. Go ; all is over between us. 
I will never see you again.” 

“ Josephine ! ” 

His consternation satisfied her that the game was 
won, and without giving him any chance to utter the 
apologies that were evidently upon his lips, she rang 
the bell violently. 

“The servant will show }^ou to the door,” she re- 
marked quietly. 

“But listen, Josephine — ” 

“ Not another word,” was the reply, accompanied by 
another energetic pull at the bell. The maid entered. 

“ Tell the porter to find a carriage and accompany 
M. Grella home. He is indisposed this evening.” 

“ No ; I need the assistance of no one,” he responded 
in impotent rage. 

His vanity was stung to the quick by the insult 
inflicted upon him, and drawing himself to his full 
height, he said in a manner which he endeavored to 
make withering in the extreme : 


188 


A CHILI) OF ISRAEL. 


“ Good evening, Madame.” 

“Good evening, my friend,” she responded gently; 
then offering him her hand with a smile, she added : 

“ When you have recovered from the effects of your 
champagne, Etienne, we will talk this over in a more 
amicable fashion, will we not?” 

He did not know what to reply. The servant stood 
waiting with a candle, and in her presence he did not 
dare to give utterance to the insult that was upon his 
lips, so turning upon his heel so suddenly that he was 
obliged to clutch at the back of an arm-chair for 
support, he managed to reel out of the room. 

In the ante-chamber, he paused to put on his over- 
coat, then taking a cane that was standing in the 
corner of the room, though he had none with him 
when he came in, he succeeded in descending the stair- 
case by keeping a tight hold on the railing, and closing 
his eyes to protect himself from vertigo. 

Madame des Orniers waited to hear the outer door 
close before releasing her prisoner; but after he, in 
turn, had departed, she felt the need of reflecting upon 
the situation, in order to judge of the probable conse- 
quences of her conduct. She had been very severe to 
Grella, and though he was grossly intoxicated now, he 
might, on awaking the next morning, take what she 
had said literally. Under such circumstances, what 
might he not do ? One has everything to fear from 
the wounded vanity of a fool ! If he should regard 
his dismissal as final, what would prevent him from 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


189 


demanding the immediate return of the money loaned 
to Godefroy. She shuddered at the thought. All the 
advantages she had expected to derive from this mar- 
riage would vanish in smoke-. Fear seized her, and 
opening her escritoire she hastily scribbled a few words 
that could not fail to bring Grella to her the next 
morning. She must gain a few days time, in order 
that the marriage might become an accomplished fact. 
She also knew that the newly-wedded pair were to 
start on a journey immediately after the ceremony ; 
hence, it was a matter of vital importance that there 
should be no change in her relations with Etienne, at 
least, not until after their departure. The letter she 
had written to him could not fail to produce this 
result ; and again summoning her maid, she intrusted 
it to her, with orders that it should be delivered early 
the following morning. 


190 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


CHAPTER XVIII. 

THE MARRIAGE. 

F OUR days afterwards, Pierre Wavre left his house 
with a comparatively light and contented heart, 
flattering himself that a long and persistent sorrow was 
almost forgotten. 

On receiving an invitation to Louise’s marriage, a 
sudden revolution seemed to have taken place in his 
feelings. In the presence of the accomplished fact, his 
melancholy, the result of a foolish hope of some absurd 
and impossible miracle, no more or less absurd than all 
miracles, however — had given place to anger; but 
after he had roundly cursed the stupidity of mankind 
and shaken his fist at society in general, he calmed 
down as if by enchantment. 

“ Ah well, so much the better,” he thought. “ I am 
released now from the thraldom of a fixed idea that 
benumbed my intellectual faculties.” 

Two or three fits of anger followed during the days 
that immediately ensued ; but they diminished in dura- 
tion and intensity ; and whenever he discovered that the 
fixed idea still persisted in haunting him, he endeav- 
ored to banish it by spending most of his time in pur- 
suit of amusement. Never had he been seen so 
frequently on the Boulevard, at the houses of his 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


191 


friends, and in the social and artistic circles in which 
he was an honored guest; and he proved himself to be 
an excellent companion and the possessor of a rather 
excitable, but still exceedingly agreeable sprightliness 
of manner. 

If his sister had not been at Trouville at the time, 
he would have called on her every day to propose some 
pleasure excursion ; but reduced to the companionship 
of his brother artists, he improvised dinners, and 
rambles in Bois, and very willingly accompanied his 
friends to evening receptions, or played baccaret like 
the rest of them. 

He wished to while away the time, to drive away 
thought and to escape from himself, until the day when 
the nuptial benediction would be pronounced, and all 
would be over. 

At last that day had come, and a charming one it 
was ; a storm the evening before, having cooled the 
air and revived the drooping foliage. He felt really 
brave, and after making his toilet, and finding that he 
still had considerable leisure at his disposal, he started 
on foot for the little church on the Avenue d’Eylau, in 
which the marriage of Louise was to be celebrated. 

He chose the longest way, through the Chaussee 
d’Autin, the boulevards and the Champs-Elys^es. 
Even before reaching the Arc-de-Triomphe, he ob- 
served many handsome equipages, containing hand- 
somely dressed ladies, gentlemen glittering with 
decorations, and a sprinkling of uniforms, as well as of 
church dignitaries. 


192 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


It is needless to say that all the nobility of the Fau- 
bourg Saint-Germain who had not already repaired to 
their estates, intended to honor with their presence the 
nuptials of the daughter of the Baroness Yaconsin de 
Bovilliers, nSe de Belencour ; and in like manner, all 
who had held important positions under the Second 
Empire, were eager to congratulate the son of the 
former contractor. Add to these, the club acquaint- 
ances, the mutual friends among brokers and in bank- 
ing circles, a number of more or less prominent artistic 
celebrities, and the remnant of what Moray in his 
disdainful condescension styled, “ my little world,” 
and you can form some conception of the crowd 
around the church. 

Standing a little apart, Pierre watched the throng 
with a sort of astonishment mingled with an ill-defined 
fear which he tried to hide even from himself. It 
seemed to him that his secret sorrow was apparent in 
spite of his efforts to conceal it, and that people were 
watching him with a kind of pity. 

Suddenly he saw a stylish dog-cart drawn by a 
superb blooded horse, emerge from one of the cross 
streets. It was skilfully driven by a tall, handsome 
young man, between the lapels of whose light overcoat 
a white neck-tie was visible. 

“ Look, Valastruc is in full dress,” exclaimed some 
one standing near Pierre. 

Just then, the grocer’s son stopped shprt near those 

who were speaking of him, the crowd of vehicles pre- 


A CHILD OP ISRAEL. 


193 


venting him from advancing farther. As he stopped 
the groom sprang down and stationed himself at the 
horse’s head, and the driver in turn alighted. 

“ Good morning,” he said gayly. “ Has the wedding 
party made its appearance yet?” 

“ Are you mad ? Who ever heard of a wedding at 
the appointed hour? Such a thing was never known.” 

“I am not aufait in such matters, I confess.” 

“I should judge not.” 

“Why?” 

“ By your white tie.” 

“ Do you suppose I have gotten myself up in this 
style for my own gratification ? ” 

“ My dear fellow, a fashionable man never puts on a 
dress coat before seven o’clock in the evening.” 

“ But I belong to the show, my friend.” 

“What?” 

“ I am best man* if you please.” 

“ Really?” 

“ And no more proud on that account, I assure you.” 

“Then you are intimately acquainted with the 
Bovilliers?” 

“No, with Godefroy. You think it quite a tax, I 
suppose, b/it I owed him that much. Josephine has 
been so good to me.” 

“And will she have the assurance to come?” 

“ lie has invited her.” 

“Look, there she is now, with Grella. My boys, 
the fete is complete ! ” 

12 


194 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


“Are the reports on this subject true? That she 
brought about the marriage, I mean.” 

“She had a finger in the pie, undoubtedly; but you 
must look higher for the principal negotiator. She 
helped the matter along at the request of another 
party.” 

“ The canon ? ” 

“ Yes, R^mondat ; an old friend of her husband’s 
family, whom she has taken care not to lose sight of, 
and whom she consults bv letter, or even in the sacristy, 
on great occasions. But the most comical thing of all 
is that she succeeded in inducing Grella to lend the 
pecuniary aid necessary to effect the signing of the 
marriage contract.” 

“ He is certainly very obliging.” 

“ She persuaded him that it would be a master- 
stroke. You know poor Etienne is terribly jealous of 
Godefroy, and she convinced him tfcat by effecting his 
rival’s establishment in life, he would get rid of him.” 

“ And he believed it ? ” 

“ She is so persuasive.” 

“ In any event, this simpleton of a d’Aitignies, is a 
mighty lucky fellow. The bride is lovely, and one of 
those carefully reared girls who are so conscientious as 
to voluntarily love the husband selected for them by 
their parents.” 

“ Bah ! ” exclaimed Valastruc. “Young girls are all 
alike. Besides, if what some of the gossips say is true, 
the vow she is about to pronounce is a dernier resort .” 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


195 


44 Tell us all about it.” 

44 1 am not very well informed on the subject, but 
I have understood that last autumn some one was 
fortunate enough to win the love of the beautiful 
Louise, in spite of the care with which she had been 
reared, and that, had it not been for her illness there 
would have been a marriage which would have been a 
terrible blow to her noble parents.” 

44 Who was the fortunate man ? ” 

44 I was not informed.” 

44 Some country neighbor ? ” 

“Some Parisian visiting at Bovilliers, more pro- 
bably.” 

44 1 wonder who the baron’s guests were last 
autumn ? ” 

44 It is an amusing and consoling thing to know that 
this beautiful and wealthy young lady regards our ex- 
cellent Godefroy only as a pis-aller ,” remarked Yalas- 
truc. 44 It would have broken my heart had he been 
chosen for himself alone. It is bad enough for Jose- 
phine to have obstinately preferred him to us.” 

The conversation was interrupted by a movement in 
the crowd. Five landaus were passing at a slow trot ; 
the wedding party had arrived. Pierre could not see 
the bride ; who was ensconced in one corner of the 
carriage and effectually screened by her mother and 
one of her bridesmaids, so he made his way into 
the church, and stationed himself behind one of the 
confessionals where he could see everything that was 
passing without being seen. 


196 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


Already, at a sign from the beadle, the organist had 
begun a triumphant march by which the step of the 
procession was to be regulated. 

Every one is familiar with the details of a fashion- 
able wedding. First, an address to the bridal couple ; 
then music, solos rendered by operatic stars, and a high 
mass chanted in low tones in order not to interfere 
with the virtuosos. After which, the wedded pair wend 
their way to the sacristy followed by a crowd of friends 
eager to proffer congratulations, and then hasten home 
to a breakfast which will certainly be either cold or 
burned up. 

Pierre who was deeply agitated at first, ended like 
the others, in finding the ceremony tedious, though he 
was not anxious for a seat at the breakfast table ; but 
since the matter was virtually ended, why should he 
remain there to repeat : “ it is over.” Several times he 
glanced over the crowd trying to discover some opening 
through which he could make his way to the door ; but 
he saw that escape was impossible : he would be obliged 
to incommode too many people, for the church was too 
small for the number of guests. 

But the mass was finished at last and the bridal 
party disappeared, but Pierre decided to wait until part 
of the crowd had dispersed. As he began to think of 
moving, a smiling and affable gentleman barred his 
passage: “Not that way, not that way. You would 
not succeed in making your way out.” 

Even while he thanked him, Pierre read the charac- 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


197 


ter of his interlocutor. He had fallen a victim to one 
of those persons whom artists and authors are obliged 
to tolerate, in spite of themselves ; one of those courte- 
ous, cordial, well-dressed men who know all about your 
work, and who talk of your relatives and friends, but 
whom no one knows. Is he a friend of one of your 
acquaintances, an editor, a picture dealer, an amateur 
detective or a journalist? No one knows: every one 
has met him, but where? Has he been presented to 
you in some mercantile establishment with which you 
hold business relations? You cannot say; but he is so 
polite and such a man of the world, that unless you 
desire to pass for an unmannerly boor you must treat 
him courteously, answer his questions, allow him to 
slip his arm through yours, and endure his company, 
saying to yourself all the while : “ Where the devil 
have I seen him? What is his name?” 

“ Not that way, not that way,” repeated the stranger. 
“ There is a little side door near by that will enable us 
to reach the sacristy without passing through the 
crowd.” 

This is another peculiarity of the class referred to. 
They know buildings better than the architects who 
constructed them ; and there are no forbidden doors 
for them. Through a door upon which is inscribed: 
“No admittance,” they pass without a permit, or so 
much as a word to the person on guard ; even the 
door-keepers at the theatre do not question their right 
to enter. They are found everywhere, shaking hands 


198 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


with everybody, received everywhere without cordi- 
ality but without repugnance. 

Occasionally some one inquires : 

“ Who is that man ? ” 

And the response is invariably : 

“ I have not the slightest idea.” 

To tell the truth, Pierre attached but little import- 
ance to the meeting just at that moment. He had been 
in a sort of stupor during the entire service. The con- 
versation he had overheard between “ the best man ” 
and his friends had filled him with consternation. 

^ Poor Louise ! to whom were they uniting her? What 
a wretched fate was in store for her ! 

As the ceremony progressed, it seemed to him she 
was approaching closer and closer to the verge of a 
precipice, and a wild impulse to spring forward and 
publicly denounce the man to whom they were uniting 
her, seized him ; but he was prevented by an exaspe- 
rating sense of his powerlessness. The priest’s bene- 
diction was only the confirmation of a now irremediable 
misfortune, since the law had consecrated the indissolu- 
ble bond two days before. Besides, what right had he 
to interfere ? And what proofs could he furnish ? 
Only the conversation of two young men which he had 
overheard by chance ! 

His rage gradually abated, giving place to a pro- 
found discouragement. He had only one desire: to 
flee, to divert his thoughts, to forget. 

At the same time the proposal to catch one more 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


199 


glimpse of the bride was a sore temptation. Why 
not? A thousand absurd and fantastic fancies passed 
through his mind. Perhaps Louise had already discov- 
ered the horrors of her situation. Perhaps she already 
felt the need of assistance ? This was all folly, to be 
sure ; but folly which it was difficult for him, in his 
present state of excitement, to overcome. 

So, without making any effort to rid himself of the 
singular person who offered his services as a guide, he 
allowed himself to be conducted through a narrow 
corridor, at the end of which was a small door, that 
stood open, and on crossing the threshold, he found 
himself only a few steps from Louise and Godefroy. 

The utmost confusion prevailed in the sacristy which 
was filled with an eager and laughing crowd, all shaking 
hands, and exchanging greetings and congratulations. 

The manner and appearance of Louise abruptly dis- 
pelled the young man’s hallucination. Calm and 
serene, she replied to each friend with a tranquil 
grace utterly void of agitation and embarrassment. 

On contemplating her, Pierre was seized with a sud- 
den compassion for his own stupidity. How could he 
have fancied that she was in any danger ? As she then 
appeared to him, and to many others, she seemed lifted 
high above any of the possible consequences of her 
changed condition. 

Suddenly their eyes met, and the young man felt 
his courage fail him. Over the face of Louise there 
passed first an expression of astonishment, then a 


200 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


rather melancholy smile. She made a slight move- 
ment as if to bid him approach, and as Pierre obeyed, 
deeply agitated, she offered him her hand : 

“ So you came ? ” she said. 

It was the least I could do,” he stammered. 
“Heretical as are my prayers for your happiness, 
madame, they are at least sincere.” 

“I am sure of it, and I am deeply grateful. You 
believe me, do you not? ” 

Pierre bowed ; there was a strange choking sensa- 
tion in his throat which made it impossible for him to 
reply in words. “And since you are here,” added Louise, 
“I should inform you of a fact which may interest 
you. It is connected with the portrait you began at 
our house last autumn. Do you recollect it?” 

“ Certainly, madame.” 

“ Ah, well, considering it alike impossible to keep it 
or to return it to you in its present condition, I have 
ordered it burned. Have I done right? ” 

“Yes,” he replied quickly, “you have done right.” 

She again offered him her hand. 

“Since you have invoked the protection of your 
God for me,” she continued, “ you must permit me to 
entreat mine to make you happy.” 

She had touched a sensitive spot ; he was silent. 

Then gently pressing the young man’s hand which 
she still held, she said, in a tone of grave sweetness : 

“ Farewell.” 

“Farewell, madame,” replied Pierre, brokenly. 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


201 


CHAPTER XIX. 


“baby’s return.” 


f HE general elections were close at hand, and 



X though public opinion was very peaceable, being 
certain of success, the friends of the faction in power, 
divining the coming downfall, were enduring torture 
unutterable, and hastily taking their precautions in 
extremis . 

The Countess des Orniers wore the most doleful 
visage of all the anxious crowd. Grella, not doubt- 
ing for a single instant the triumph of his party, had 
beguiled her into speculations which he thought could 
not fail to double the lovely Josephine’s capital. 

But the crash came ; and in two days the poor lady 
saw nearly a third of her fortune swept away. In 
simple justice, Grella should have made her loss good, 
but nowadays, it was a difficult task to induce that 
gentleman to unloose his purse strings; besides, he 
too had met with heavy losses in the same ventures. 

The salon of the countess, too, was almost deserted ; 
the members of the defeated party who were now 
principally engaged in tearing each other to pieces 
with their sharp teeth, evincing a desire to avoid rather 
than meet one another. 

Madame des Orniers’ courage almost failed her. 


202 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


The breach made in her fortune ; Grella’s avarice ; the 
pecuniary embarrassment of such friends as remained 
faithful to her ; all this necessitated a change in her 
style of living which aroused her furious indignation. 

The winter and spring passed in this way, and poor 
Josephine was beginning to despair when, on returning 
home one day about five o’clock, she found two cards 
upon the tray which was held by a statue of an ape 
in the ante-chamber — the latest freak of fashion* 

Upon one of these cards was inscribed : 


Le Comte Grodefroy d' Aitignies, 

72 Rue Matignon . 


On the other : 


Madame la Comtesse Grodefroy d' Aitignies. 

The horizon of the lovely Josephine, so gloom}' only 
an instant before, suddenly became suffused with the 
roseate light of hope. “ Baby ” had kept his word. 
Who would have believed it ? She bitterly reproached 
herself for having suspected him of ingratitude and 
duplicity. 

Directly after his marriage Baby had left Paris with 
his wife. First, they spent a week at Bovilliers ; then 
they repaired to Austria where their best friends lost 
sight of them, though it was rumored that they were 
travelling through the Tyrol and afterwards in Italy, 
and they had been met by acquaintances in Venice, 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


203 


Florence and Rome ; but not one of Madame des 
Orniers’ personal friends had received any direct 
news of them, and she, herself, had not received a 
single word. 

Under such circumstances, it was not strange that 
she blushed at her credulity, and found it difficult to 
swallow the mortification of having been duped by 
that great simpleton. 

And now he had once more given signs of life. He 
had returned, and even before she had been informed 
of the fact, he had come with his wife to pay her a 
formal visit. He was no longer a simpleton or an 
ingrate, he was again 44 Baby.” 

Oh ! what a happy night she spent ! How blissful 
were her dreams. He would surely relieve her of her 
financial embarrassment, and effect an entrance for her 
into a world where she would find a place worthy of 
her, and of her secret aspirations. 

The next morning the postman brought her a letter. 
She recognized Godefroy’s handwriting at a glance, 
and her heart swelled with emotion. 

He wrote: 

“I will come to breakfast with you at eleven o’clock. 
We must have a long talk. Deny yourself to all 
visitors, and do not think ill of me on account of my 
long silence. You will approve my reasons for it when 
I have explained them to you. 

44 Your 4 Baby ’ d’Aitignies.” 


204 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


Louise had been Godefroy d’Aitignies’ wife for 
nearly a year. The early months of her married life 
had been a series of painful surprises, to which she had 
conscientiously endeavored to accustom herself ; but in 
spite of her efforts, these surprises had resulted in a 
disgust which caused terrible inward conflicts and half 
frantic revolt. 

Religion, a sense of duty, reason — nothing availed. 
She loathed her husband. Near him, the throbbings 
of her heart seemed suspended ; even respiration 
became difficult ; she was obliged to shut her teeth 
tightly together to prevent them from chattering, and 
to make almost superhuman efforts to restrain the 
tears that rose to her eyes. This man produced upon 
her much the effect of a loathsome reptile, and contact 
with him seemed to chill her to the very marrow of 
her bones. 

And was this marriage ? Oh, the horror, the degra- 
dation of it ! 

Fortunately for her, Godefroy, though unconscious 
of her unconquerable antipathy, was intensely bored 
in her society. This timid, inert woman, almost sulky 
in her silent resignation, exasperated him, and had it 
depended upon him, the wedding journey would have 
come to a speedy termination. How impatiently he 
longed for the moment to return to France, and 
resume his old habits and meet his old acquaintances, 
especially his friend Josephine des Orniers. She 
was a woman worth talking about! No infernal 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 205 

nonsense about her ! How amusing she was ! While 
Louise — Bah, altogether too finical for him ! 

So, by a sort of tacit consent, their relations became 
gradually more and more formal — a state of things 
which was eminently satisfactor} r to both parties. At 
Nice, seeing him greatly interested in a Russian lady, 
who was the idol of the foreign colony, she breathed a 
sigh of intense relief; and when Godefroy one day 
showed her an invitation addressed to them by the 
husband of this popular lady, to join a hunting party 
at a chateau some leagues distant, where they were to 
remain several days, Louise accepted the invitation 
and prepared her dresses ; but when the day of depar- 
ture came, she declared she was ill, insisting, however, 
that Godefroy should go without her, and as nothing 
could have suited him better, he did so, and the young 
wife enjoyed three long pleasant days of solitude and 
peace which would have restored her to health if her 
indisposition had been real. 

On his return, her husband congratulated her on 
her recovery with a grace that was not habitual to him, 
and afterwards, pretending to believe that she required 
rest, he left her at home while he enjoyed himself 
elsewhere. The Russian lady departed for other climes, 
and Godefroy found other distractions which were 
probably even less elevated in their nature, but suffi- 
ciently amusing to enable him to endure his exile 
quite patiently. 

The reader may ask the cause of this exile. As we 


206 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


have before remarked, it was imposed by the canon. 
Three days before the nuptial benediction was pro- 
nounced, he learned through an anonymous letter that 
his spiritual son was not the owner of the sum of money 
he had apparently furnished, and that he was also in 
debt to the amount of one hundred and eighty thou- 
sand francs. 

From whom did this revelation come ? Godefroy at 
first suspected Etienne Grella, who had perhaps dis- 
covered the trick he and Josephine had played upon 
him on the night of the farewell dinner. But no; a 
letter of congratulation from Grella proved his entire 
ignorance of the facts of the case. The information 
must have come from some other source, possibly from 
some servant in the employ of the countess. 

But the source from which it came mattered little 
after all ; the canon knew it, that was the vexatious 
part of the matter; and assuming an authority that the 
orphan did not think for a moment of contesting, 
Ilemondat condemned the count to remain abroad until 
his affairs could be adjusted. But though the abb6 
had heaven to aid him, he did not wholly succeed in 
accomplishing this fortunate result, for the notary, on 
receiving a demand for such a large amount of money 
began an investigation, and finally threatened to reveal 
the true state of affairs to the Vaconsins (of Bovilliers). 

The presence of Godefroy became necessary to avert 
this deplorable result, and thus, the orders being 
rescinded, he once more appeared on the streets of 
Paris, happy and triumphant. 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


207 


The clock was striking eleven when Louise’s husband 
entered Madame des Orniers’ boudoir. An unfeigned 
pleasure and affection was apparent in their meeting ; 
indeed, they were affected almost to tears. They 
understood each other so well ! They breakfasted 
tete-a-tete , with the excellent appetite common to in- 
nocent and to depraved natures. With his mouth full, 
Godefroy described to his friend the vicissitudes of his 
honeymoon. If Louise had but heard him ! Josephine 
could not help laughing at the exclamation with which 
he concluded, and which he had so often repeated in 
secret, during his married life, though his revelations 
led her to make mental comparisons which were not 
always to his advantage. 

But on the whole the situation was eminently con- 
soling. She had not lost her influence over her 
“ Baby,” that was evident; and the assistance which he 
asked in overcoming the notary’s scruples, and which 
she had promised to give, would place him even more 
entirely in her power than before. 

“ Have no fears,” she said, when he had disclosed 
the whole situation. “ Either with or without Grella’s 
assistance, I will bring your notary to terms. Do not 
give yourself any further trouble, I will take charge of 
the entire matter, and will manage it in such a way 
that even ltdmondat will be satisfied. He is no match 
for me in cunning.” 

« But how will you effect it?” 

“What does that matter to you, provided I suc- 
ceed?” 


208 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


But Godefroy insisted. 

“Listen,” replied Josephine. “I owe your wife a 
call in acknowledgment of the card she left here 
yesterday. I N will let you know when I intend to 
return the visit, so you can be at home. Try to 
induce her to invite me to dinner; I, in turn, will do 
everything I can to ingratiate myself into her favor; 
and judging from what you have told me, it will be an 
easy matter for me to win her confidence sufficiently 
to induce her to accede to whatever we desire.” 

Godefroy was naturally indolent, and he feared he 
would fatigue himself by persisting in his efforts to 
comprehend; besides Josephine was a genius in his 
eyes, so he gave her carte blanche. 

When he left her house, about five o’clock in the 
evening, he descended the Avenue des Malesherbes 
with the step of a conquerer. He did not entirely 
understand Madame des Orniers’ plan, but he had 
implicit confidence in her, so he gave himself no 
further anxiety as she had assured him that it would 
be entirely unnecessary for him to do so. 

His success depended upon a single condition : that 
Louise should become the intimate friend of Madame 
des Orniers, and in Godefroy’s opinion, nothing could 
be more simple. 

He was so well pleased that he had no desire to spoil 
his satisfaction by returning home ; so, after a walk 
through the Champs filys^es, he entered the club-house 
and dispatched a note to his wife, informing her that 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


209 


lie would not return to dinner. Entering the card-room, 
he sat down to a game of baccarat from which he rose 
a winner to the amount of seventy thousand francs. 

“ He must be unlucky in love, he is so infernally 
lucky at cards,” gayly exclaimed Octave Valastruc, 
who had lost twenty thousand francs or more. 

Godefroy lost his temper at once. 

“ Your jests are usually in very poor taste,” he 
retorted dryly, “ and this is certainly no exception to 
the rule.” 

“ Good heavens ! how surly you are ! ” replied the 
grocer’s son, laughing. “You have won my money 
and I am only taking my revenge. Come, stop turning 
up your nose, and loan me two thousand francs so I 
can retrieve my losses.” 

Godefroy handed him the bank notes, then inquired: 

“ What are you going to do to-morrow?” 

“ Nothing in particular. Why ? ” 

“ Come and dine with us, then. Some of my wife’s 
relatives will be there, and you can make an excuse 
so we can get off immediately after the dessert.” 

“ Thanks. I will come,” replied the other. 

This seemed to Godefroy a simple acquiescence, but 
to young Yalastruc, it meant far more. As has been 
previously remarked, he thought it a shame that such 
a charming girl as Louise should have fallen to that 
scoundrel d’Aitignies ; and this invitation seemed 
likely to afford him the coveted opportunity to es- 
tablish him on an intimate footing in the household. 

13 


210 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


CHAPTER XX. 

A TRIFLING MISTAKE AND ITS CONSEQUENCES. 

O NE morning the Countess d’Aitignies’ coup£ drew 
up before the steps leading to the waiting-room 
of the Western Railway Station, and she alighted fresh 
and blooming, pretty enough to make one involun- 
tarily pause to gaze at her charming face, but with 
such an air of distinction about her, that one would 
scarcely venture to do it. 

“At eleven, this evening,” she said to the coachman 
who had leaned from the box to receive her order, and 
who lifted his hat and drove off at a snail’s pace. 

The lady glanced at the office where she would be 
obliged to purchase her ticket. There was quite a 
crowd before the window, and a young man who was 
standing in line, struck by the beauty and elegance of 
her appearance, offered to obtain her ticket for her. 

“ Thank you, monsieur,” she replied graciously, 
handing him a gold coin. “ I am going to Saint-Leu- 
Taverney.” 

The young man also understood that she wished a 
first-class ticket, and on giving it to her, he bowed 
with that peculiar respect which great ladies are 
wont to inspire. 

“ Accept my thanks, monsieur,” she said, rewarding 
him with a smile. 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


211 


Some women sure of their prestige are exceedingly 
affable and informal in their manners. Instinct 
teaches them that the} 7 incur no risk by being so. 
Gently and calmly they pass through the crowd, not 
with a queenly step — majestic demeanor seems absurd 
to them — but gracious and smiling, accustomed to have 
people give place to them at the slightest intimation 
of their pleasure. 

Louise was one of these. Nothing embarrassed her. 
Without troubling herself in the least, she always 
found some one who was delighted to serve her, or to 
clear the way for her. A word, accompanied by an 
affable glance, and they were repaid. 

She crossed the waiting room, and in obedience to 
the direction of an employ 6 entered a compartment in 
which two gentlemen were smoking. Neither of them 
thought for an instant of asking permission to continue, 
but threw away their cigars at once. 

When the conductor came to inspect the tickets, he 
remarked : 

“You change cars at Ermont, madame.” 

“I know: thank you,” she replied. 

At Ermont, she left the car, and seeing a train 
standing on the other track, she proceeded towards it. 

“Make haste, madame. All aboard!” cried an 
t official. “We are late this morning.” 

All the compartments she glanced into were full. 

The conductor seeing her hesitation, searched with 
her, and at last springing upon the platform, called : 


212 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


“ Here, madame, is a place.” 

He had opened the door, and she entered. She was 
the eighth passenger, and she apologized for disturbing 
the other occupants of the compartment, who seemed 
to have settled themselves comfortably for their jour- 
ney. When she had seated herself, she glanced around 
at her travelling companions, and suddenly started, 
uttering a slight exclamation of surprise, for, at the 
other end of the opposite bench, she saw Pierre Wavre. 

They exchanged a few words, but the train soon 
started, and the noise of the wheels and rattling of the 
windows compelled them to elevate their voices to an 
uncomfortable pitch ; besides, there is little pleasure in 
talking when all one says must be heard by half a 
dozen strangers. 

In a short time, the train stopped, and the guard 
announced : 

“ Franconville, Plessis-Bouchard.” 

Four passengers left the car, which enabled the 
young man to approach Louise. 

“ It is a long time since I have had the pleasure of 
seeing you,” she remarked, “ but I have heard of you 
through Colonel Morseux whom I sometimes meet in 
society, and also through the newspapers. You have 
been elected a member of the Institute. Will you 
permit me to offer you my sincere congratulations ? ” 

And as he bowed, she continued : 

“ And your sister ; I see her but seldom. It is not, 
I hope, on account of ill-health that she so rarely 
accompanies her husband. How is she ? ” 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


213 


“ You are very kind, madame. She is perfectly 
well, but her children engross most of her time. For 
the sake of taking them to the seaside she sacrificed 
her own pleasure and left my brother-in-law, who was 
detained in Paris by his duties.” 

“ Where did she go ? ” 

“ To Trouville. Morseux has a villa there. I spent 
two months with her, hoping to console her in a meas- 
ure for the absence of her husband, who could remain 
only from Saturday until Sunday evening. I will tell 
Magdalene that you were so kind as to inquire for her ; 
she will be very grateful.” 

“ Shall you see her soon ? ” 

“ I am going now to bid her good-bye, not at Trou- 
ville, but at Isle-Adam, where her husband is now 
spending his vacation, dividing his time between hunt- 
ing, in which he is an amateur, and his fireside, to 
which he is devoted.” 

“ To bid her good-by, you say. Are you going 
away ? ” 

“ I sail from Marseilles day after to-morrow for 
Egypt.” 

“ Good Heavens ! ” 

Pierre smiled. 

“ That is a very insignificant journey nowadays,” he 
remarked ; “ indeed, it is little more than a pleasure 
excursion.” 

“ That is true. Still, what an idea ! What is your 
object ? ” 


214 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


“ To study the light there, to see people clad in 
other than European costume, and to accumulate a 
stock of sketches.” 

“ How fortunate you are ! ” replied the lady. “Yes, 
it must be very pleasant to visit new scenes, and 
breathe a new atmosphere under strange skies ! ” 

“What prevents you from doing likewise?” 

“Alone?” 

“ No ; with M. d’Aitignies.” 

There appeared upon Louise’s face an expression 
of surprise, mingled with secret amusement, which 
reminded the young man of the smile at the Chateau 
de Bovilliers, the day the canon asked them what they 
thought of Godefroy, who had arrived the evening 
previous. 

“For M. d’Aitignies,” replied the countess, “the 
entire universe is bounded by the Boulevard des 
Capucines and the Faubourg Montmartre.” 

This conversation, commonplace as was its character, 
had prevented them from noticing another stoppage of 
the train, though the guard had announced : 

“ Herblay.” 

Two more passengers who had been the only occu- 
pants of the compartment besides themselves, had left 
the car ; but it was not till the whistle sounded, and 
the train resumed its course, that Louise suddenly 
exclaimed : 

“ Where are we ? ” 

“ At Herblay, madame.” 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 215 

“Herblay?” she repeated. “I do not recollect the 
place.” 

Then, in a tone that had suddenly become anxious, 
she continued : 

“ I certainly have every reason in the world to find 
the time short ; still, it seems to me I have reached my 
destination much sooner on my previous visits.” 

“ Where do you stop, madame ? ” 

“ At Saint-Leu-Taverney.” 

“ But we do not go there at all.” 

“ What?” 

“No; in a few moments we shall be at Pontoise.” 

“ Pontoise ? Impossible ! ” 

“Yes, Pontoise.” 

“But how can that be when I have a ticket for 
Saint-Leu ? ” 

“ That can be easily explained : you took the wrong 
train at Ermont.” 

“ I saw but one, and that, I was told to make haste 
and enter.” 

“There was a second, however: that of the Valmon- 
doise line.” 

“ A fine dilemma I am in ! ” exclaimed the countess 
rather anxiously. 

“ Give yourself no uneasiness,” replied Pierre. “We 
will get off at Pontoise, and I will ascertain when the 
next train that connects with the Saint-Leu train 
leaves ; and I hope you will not be compelled to wait 
long. Besides, a telegram will calm the fears of the 
persons who are expecting you.” 


216 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


“Fortunately no one is expecting me,” replied 
Louise. “ My nurse lives at Saint-Leu, and I 
intended to spend a few hours with her on my way 
to Enghien, where I am to dine at the house of a 
friend. I shall have an hour or two less to give her ; 
but there is no great harm done.” 

As she concluded the sentence, the shrill whistle of 
the locomotive again rent the air, and the train soon 
paused before the pretty little station at Pontoise. 

Pierre, leaving Louise upon the platform, hurried off 
in search of information. In a moment he returned 
with the superintendent of the depot. 

“ It is becoming a more serious matter,” he remarked. 
“ This gentleman tells me that you will be obliged to 
wait four hours either here or in Ermont, as you 
choose.” 

“ I may as well wait here as there. But four hours 
in Pontoise, think of it! ” she exclaimed laughing. 

“ If Madame is not specially desirous of stopping at 
Saint-Leu to-day, she can start in twenty minutes for 
Enghien,” remarked the official politely. 

“And arrive at noon for a seven o’clock dinner!” 
replied Madame d’Aitignies gayly. “No, thank you, 
gentlemen, I will wait here. As for you, Monsieur 
Wavre, hasten back to your train; give my kindest 
regards to Madame Morseux, kiss your nephews for 
me, and bring us some chefs-d'ceuvre from Egypt.” 

“And leave you here alone? No, Madame. My 
sister is ignorant of my intended visit ; permit me to 
keep you company until your departure ? ” 


A CniLD OF ISRAEL. 217 

She objected a little, out of politeness ; then yielding 
to the temptation, she said, accepting his arm : 

“Very well, it shall be as you say. Are there any 
places of interest to visit here ? ” 

“No, but there is a river, the banks of which are 
really quite picturesque.” 

“Then let us repair to the river’s side without 
delay,” laughed the lady. 

“ But have you breakfasted ? ” inquired her escort. 

“Not yet.” 

“Nor have I.” 

“ In that case, let us breakfast,” cried Louise gayly. 
“ This will serve to pass away part of the time.” 

“ I do not know the resources of the place,” remarked 
Pierre, “ and am inclined to fear that the bill of fare 
will be rather meagre — ” 

“ What of that ! Come, I am famishing, and shall 
enjoy anything in the shape of food.” 


218 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


CHAPTER XXI. 

A STRANGE AVOWAL. 

HE plan was carried into immediate execution. 



I Near the depot, they found a hotel where they 
were nicely served in a private room ; moreover, the 
novelty of the adventure inclined them to accommodate 
themselves to circumstances, and they ate and chatted 
in a manner entirely devoid of constraint. It seemed to 
them that they were in a far off country, hundreds of 
leagues from their homes. No one here knew them ; 
no one even knew where to look for them ; a fairy’s 
wand seemed to have suddenly transported them to the 
furthermost ends of the earth. It was a sort of entr * 
acte in their lives. There was no longer countess or 
painter, Catholic or Jew; they were two friends whom 
chance had led to play truant in each other’s company. 

They both experienced a delightful sense of freedom, 
and showed it. They also appeared wonderfully 
happy. But why? It was hard to say. The short- 
lived romance of former years seemed to be entirely 
forgotten ; seemed to be a thing of the past to which 
neither of them felt any desire to revert. They were 
both in the best of spirits, and laughed gayly over the 
strangeness of their adventure. 

The repast ended, they left the hotel arm in arm, 


A CHILD OP ISRAEL. 


219 


going straight on up the steep street. Though not by 
any means inclined to indulge in a description of Pon- 
toise, we shall venture to remark that it is a charming 
place. The town is built on a ledge that towers high 
above the surrounding plains, and overhangs the Oise, 
which is of very considerable width at this point. 
The streets are almost perpendicular, some of them 
being little more than staircases bordered with houses 
built against the rock. From the summit of the hill, 
there is a magnificent view of the laughing valley that 
lies between the forest of Montmorency and the 
wooded hills that stretch from Herblay to Sannois, and 
of the valley of the Seine in which lies Conflaus, Mai- 
sons Laflitte, and in the distance, the forest of Saint 
Germain ; the whole, forming a lovely panorama 
through which the Seine and the Oise pursue their 
winding way. 

It was the first week in October, and the weather 
was warm and pleasant ; a season one appreciates fully, 
foreseeing the speedy approach of the cold storms of 
autumn. The russet fields, the thousands of apple- 
trees still loaded with fruit, their dark green foliage 
varied here and there by the gaudy leaves of the chest- 
nuts, which were almost ready to fall, all imparted 
a quiet picturesqueness to the landscape. 

On reaching the brow of the hill, Louise and her 
companion paused and silently contemplated the beau- 
tiful panorama that stretched before them. Their 
pleasure was shadowed by a tinge of sadness, occa- 


220 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


sioned by a sudden recollection of the past and of their 
present situation. Louise, to drive away this feeling 
of melancholy, suddenly straightened herself up, and 
said : 

“ Ah well ! shall we not go on ? ” 

“ Certainly,” replied Pierre, rousing himself from his 
reverie. 

Midway in their descent, they came upon a winding 
street half of which was taken up by a limpid stream 
that ran swiftly along ; a little stream it is true, but 
cleverly utilized by those living near it. All along its 
banks stood laundries, mills and manufacturing estab- 
lishments worked by the water-power thus afforded. 
Louise and Pierre followed it in its windings until they 
reached the river bank, where they sank down upon 
the sward in the shade of some tall poplars that 
screened them from the sun as effectually as a curtain 
would have done. 

They sat there some time in silence. Louise be- 
headed all the blades of grass within her reach with the 
end of her parasol, while Pierre, seated a la Turque , 
uprooted some late blooming marguerites. Both 
watched the flowing of the river in which each of 
them occasionally threw a pebble. 

“So you are going away,” Louise said suddenly. “I 
envy you. I wish I were a man.” 

“And why?” 

“So I could go with you.” 

Pierre did not reply for a moment, prevented from 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


221 


asking a possibly imprudent question by fear of ap- 
pearing to take an unfair advantage of the situation ; 
but finally he ventured to ask : 

“ Are you not satisfied with your lot ? ” 

“ Have I complained ? ” 

“No ; — but — ” 

“But what?” 

“ I dare not say what I was going to.” 

“ Bah ! Go on.” 

“ Are you not happy ? ” 

She smiled sadly. 

“ Are you not ? ” he persisted, with a sincere regret 
which touched her deeply. 

“ My friend Pierre,” Louise replied, compelling her 
lips to continue to smile, “ do you know anything more 
ignoble than a dupe who blames others for her own 
folly?” 

“ What do you mean ? ” demanded the young man 
resolutely. 

She, in turn, became serious. 

“ How can I explain ? ” she replied. “ I can blame 
no one but myself, if I have ruined my life out of def- 
erence to axioms which I had not investigated.” Then 
she continued more earnestly: “Ah, yes, I have ruined 
it irretrievably, and I sometimes ask myself why God 
did not preserve me from the pitiable blunders I have 
made, me, who trusted so implicitly to his mercy and 
goodness in all things ? What have I done to deserve 
such a fate ? If you but knew — ” 


222 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


“ Tell me, I entreat you ? ” 

“ What good would it do ? ” 

“I might perhaps be of some service ; who knows?” 

“Impossible,” replied Louise quickly, “impossible, 
and I did very wrong to make any allusion to this sub- 
ject. Once more, I repeat that if my life is devoid of 
charm, and if fate has nothing pleasant in store for 
me, it is m} r own fault; and I am proud enough and 
courageous enough to accept with resignation the future 
I have prepared for myself. Will you not forget what 
I have said? I shall be very grateful if you will. Let 
us talk of anything except myself.” 

As she spoke, she sprang up, and he followed her 
example. She took his arm again, and they walked on 
for some time in silence. 

“ Let us talk of yourself, rather,” she said at last, 
“of your work, and the successes that are awaiting 
you. What is your ambition in life? Is it possible 
for one to be of service to you in any way ? ” 

“ I am an odd sort of a fellow, perhaps,” said Pierre 
with pretended cheerfulness, in order that she might 
not regret this meeting. “ I aim high, but I shall not 
be satisfied unless I reach the goal unaided.” 

“You would feel humiliated, then, if you were in 
any way indebted to me, I suppose ? ” 

“To you, no ; but to any of your friends, certainly.” 

She did not reply. They were walking slowly, each 
solicitous in regard to what the other might think. 
This promenade which had begun so joyously, threat- 
ened to end gloomily. 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


223 


“What time is it?” inquired Louise, suddenly. 

Pierre glanced at his watch and found that it was 
too late for her to catch the train which connected with 
that going to Saint-Leu. 

“ I am extremely sorry, he said, “ and 1 beg a thou- 
sand pardons for my carelessness.” 

“It does not matter ; I can go to see my nurse some 
other time. How long will it be before a train leaves 
which will take me to Enghien in time for dinner ? ” 

“Nearly two hours.” 

“And how much longer will you be obliged to 
wait ? ” 

“The same length of time.” 

“ All well ! let us spend these two hours together 
here, lost, forgotten, and unknown. We are very com- 
fortable, are we not? and a similar opportunity is not 
likely to present itself again. Let us return to the 
spot where we were sitting a moment ago. I am sorry 
now, that I did not reply frankly to the question you 
asked me. What is the use of being silent in regard 
to my misery, when you have divined it? Why should 
we pretend to have forgotten that day when we read 
each other’s hearts? Such a farce is unworthy of us. 
Let us return, Pierre, I know you, and incur no risk 
in confessing all to you.” 

They soon reached the place where they had seated 
themselves on the bank to rest, a short time before. 

“This is the place,” said she. “There are the 
flowers you gathered. Sit down and listen to me.” 


224 


A CniLD OF ISRAEL. 


Then, in a calm voice, she gave him an account 
of her life since she had consented to marry, and all 
she now knew about the man who had been chosen 
for her. 

Only a few days before, the notary, alarmed at 
Godefroy’s renewed demands for money, had called 
on the young wife and informed her of the stratagem 
to which her husband had resorted to conceal the loss 
of his fortune. 

“ You will understand, I think, that I care nothing 
about the money,” she said to Pierre, “but to see 
one’s self bound for life to a man one can not but 
despise ! All the ties between us are broken, of 
course ; still, to live under the same roof with him, 
to sit opposite him at the table, to sometimes appear 
in society on the arm of a man who has made use of 
fraudulent means to win you, is truly horrible. I can 
find no words to describe the extent of my humiliation. 
Still, I solemnly assure you, my friend, that I have 
not been hard to please ; my ambition was exceed- 
ingly modest. At an early age I renounced the dreams 
in which young girls are wont to indulge, and which 
envelop marriage in a cloud of romance. No Prince 
Charming haunted my brain : I understood the obliga- 
tions entailed by my position. Without enthusiasm, 
but with a not uncheerful resignation, I made up my 
mind to be content with temporal advantages, and a 
tame and monotonous existence. I knew very well 
that a husband of my own rank would be selected for 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


225 


me ; a person who, after what is called a gay life, felt 
the need of settling down, and of perhaps repairing 
the inroads made upon his fortune. I reconciled 
myself to this prospect without any great difficulty, 
for I hoped that I could entertain a feeling of friend- 
ship and esteem for the husband my parents would 
choose for me, and that I should have a home to which 
I should become attached through my children. Tell 
me, Pierre, was this asking too much ? Ah, well ! my 
husband is destitute alike of honor and integrity. 
Worse still,” she added, carried away by indignation, 
“ he is an insolent and brutal wretch who defrauds and 
insults me ! ” 

As she uttered these words, sobs choked her utter- 
ance, and she buried her face in her hands. The 
young man seized them, and, livid with anger, looking 
deep down into her eyes, angrily exclaimed : 

“ He dares insult you — you ? ” 

She was frightened at the effect her words had 
produced, and made no response. 

For a moment they stood there anxious and agi- 
tated; then Louise, shaking her pretty head, said, 
with a faint though grateful smile : 

“ How weak I have been ! You are the last person 
to whom I should have confided these villanies.” 

“ Why?” 

“ Because you have loved me, Pierre,” she replied, 
bravely; “because you still love me, perhaps; and I 
am only adding to your sorrow unnecessarily, since it 
14 


226 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


is not admissible for you to try to ameliorate mine. 
Forgive me, my friend.” 

She attempted to rise, but he detained her. 

“Yes, it is true that I love you,” he said, in a low, 
grave voice, “ and the fact that this passion has resisted 
all my efforts to conquer it in the past, convinces me 
that I shall never overcome it. Still, do not fear that 
I indulge in any foolish chimeras : I know that what 
separates us now will always separate us ; but though 
I hope for nothing in the future, it is a pleasure to me 
to still cherish the sentiments I felt for you. I will 
say once for all, Louise, they are such that there is 
nothing I would not brave to deliver you from such a 
terrible martyrdom, nothing, do you understand me ? ” 

“Yes,” she replied, “and I thank you.” 

They slowly wended their way back to the town 
without another word. On reaching the station, they 
found the train Louise was to take, standing upon the 
track. Night was coming on, and the waiting-room 
was dark and gloomy. Seating themselves in a corner, 
they awaited the moment of separation with hearts 
throbbing with emotion. 

People were talking noisily around them ; men were 
calling each other ; women were issuing recommenda- 
tions to those they were leaving behind them ; children 
were running about, laughing and quarrelling. Louise 
and Pierre were unconscious of the confusion around 
them : the time seemed neither long nor short. They 
were aware of but one thing, that they were together. 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


227 


At last a bell rang, and some one cried : 

“ Passengers for Paris, all aboard ! ” 

The door opening upon the platform was thrown 
open. Pierre offered his hand to Louise : she took it, 
pressed it an instant, then with an impulsive move- 
ment attempted to raise it to her lips, but Pierre 
checked her, and drawing her gently towards him, 
kissed her upon the forehead, without a word. 


228 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


CHAPTER XXII. 


THE MYSTERY EXPLAINED. 

HE persons with whom Louise was to dine that 



I day, owned at Enghien, on the shores of the lake, 
one of those grotesque structures which draw down so 
much ridicule on the heads of certain individuals who 
have acquired large fortunes in trade. In fact, it bore 
a striking resemblance to the chefs-d'oeuvre in pastry 
which confectioners display in their shop- windows, it 
being a castle with battlemented towers and dormer 
windows in imitation granite, which seldom failed to 
excite the laughter of passers by. 

The owners, M. and Madame Lambertyn, were not 
guilty of the breach of good taste manifested in its 
construction, however. Madame, having been attacked 
by a throat trouble, her physician had ordered a 
sojourn at Enghien, so they looked for a house and 
this being the only one for sale in the immediate 
vicinity of the lake, they purchased it. 

“ It is hideous ! ” cried Madame. 

“Very true,” replied her husband. “But what 
difference does it make?” 

In fact, it made no difference. 

Their whole character was revealed in this exclama- 
tion: “ What difference does it make ? ” 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


229 


This Lambertyn minage was a type. 

Married at an early age, equally rich, and on much 
the same footing so far as education was concerned, 
the husband and wife speedily came to a very comfort- 
able understanding, and the absence of children com- 
pelled them to depend so much upon each other, that 
they finally arrived at a state of cohesion which was 
mistakenly regarded as love, for they were both utterly 
incapable of loving anybody or anything. They were 
comrades, rather than husband and wife ; two jolly 
comrades who went everywhere, and entertained every- 
body, without meddling in anything, and, indifferent to 
everything. Whether the country was at war or at 
peace, mattered little to them. “What difference does 
it make ? ” Only they were going to see the end of it. 

The same careless philosophy governed them in 
everything. 

“You remember Mr. Smith?” 

“ The one who dined here the other day ? ” 

“Yes. Well, they say he is a most disreputable 
person.” 

“Ah!” 

“ And his wife is of the same stamp.” 

“Indeed!” 

And that was all. They regarded public scandal 
with the same indifference ; not that it excited their 
indignation ; on the contrary, they smacked their lips 
with delight over each tid-bit. Prying as weasles, they 
took the greatest pains to learn all the ins and outs, 


230 A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 

and whys and wherefores of everything, delighted 
to say: 

“ That is all a mistake, my dear. Listen to me, I 
will tell you.” 

No one could tell them anything. Whatever might 
have happened they had seen and understood it all. 
They had been there. 

They seemed to really care but for one thing, noto- 
riety, whether enviable or unenviable. Any person 
who was talked of in the newspapers, immediately 
became their idol. They gave his acquaintances no 
rest until they were introduced to him. He was 
invited to each of the entertainments of which they 
were so lavish in Paris, as well as in the country ; they 
overwhelmed him with attentions, asking nothing in 
return except that he would show himself at their 
house ; though after a little madame would cautiously 
produce her album for him to inscribe his name there, 
as a traveller enters his name on the book at an inn. 

A curious book, this album. There were many pages 
illustrated with pen and pencil in such a manner that 
the gentleman had put a silver padlock upon it. Many 
of these autographs unquestionably displayed a scanty 
respect for the mistress of the house, but what dif- 
ference did that make ? Each name was that of a 
celebrity, think of that. 

Louise reached the house about half past six, and 
found it full of guests, all enjoying themselves as much 
as it is possible for people to enjoy themselves. In the 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


231 


salons, in the garden, upon the lake, the guests were 
laughing, chatting and flirting with the greatest aban- 
don . A strange change for the countess after the day- 
spent at Pontoise, and the silent farewell which had 
affected her so deeply. 

“ Thank Heaven, you have come at last ! ” ex- 
claimed Madame Lambertyn, on perceiving her. “We 
were beginning to despair. My husband just remarked 
to me : 4 The party is a failure.’ Every one felt so 

anxious for fear you would not come.” 

The good lady did not mean a word of this, these 
exaggerations being in vogue with every one. 

“ You are really too kind,” replied Louise. “ What 
led you to suppose that I was not coming?” 

“Your husband’s letter excusing himself on the 
plea of business. We feared something had occurred 
which would detain you as well.” 

“ M. d’Aitignies’ business is not always mine,” 
replied Louise, smiling. 

“ Upon which fact, I congratulate you,” murmured 
Octave Valastruc, bowing profoundly. 

Louise could not help laughing. 

“ I see that he has a valuable friend in you,” she 
remarked. 

“I, his friend? Do you believe that, because you 
see me give him my hand — only when I have gloves 
on, remember.” 

44 Confess that you show strange taste in your 
choice of a confidant.” 


232 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


“ I would say the same to him.” 

“With impunity?” 

“ Ah, madame, do you still cherish any illusions ? ” 
exclaimed the young man, laughing. 

“ Not in regard to you, assuredly.” 

“ You are very severe.” 

“ It is your own fault.” 

“No; it is prejudice and distrust on your part. You 
see that I am paying court to you, and you treat me 
rudely to discourage me.” 

“ How could I do otherwise ? ” 

The sound of a bell interrupted this sparring. 

Dinner was ready. 

“ Will you do me the honor to take my arm ? ” 
inquired the young man. 

Louise recollected that she had leaned upon that of 
Pierre only a few hours before, and it seemed almost 
profanation to accept that of Octave. 

“No,” she replied, “your manner displeases me.” 

“ I ask it, madame, as a charity.” 

“ I have my own poor, sir.” 

The dinner, apart from the daintiness of the viands, 
and the magnificence of the service, was a remarkable 
one. Among the guests there were several lions who 
were creating a great stir in Parisian society at the 
time. One, a man of medium stature with a sharp and 
angular profile, bilious complexion, and beardless as a 
priest, with long, straight, black hair, talked with a 
nervous volubility that ended by irritating one almost 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


233 


beyond endurance, such presumption did he display in 
his manner of discussing every subject. Like other 
parvenus , who do not feel themselves entirely deserv- 
ing of their good fortune, he was so intoxicated by his 
success that he pretended to consider himself without 
a rival ; and to see his confreres still esteemed, excited 
his furious wrath ; but in spite of his astonishing 
assurance, a vague uneasiness haunted him, and caused 
him many a sleepless night. Notwithstanding his 
determined blindness, he began to see signs that his 
popularity was on the wane, that the public was 
beginning to lose interest in him, as if it had learned 
to know him too well, and as if he had already given 
proofs of his incompetency. The letters he published 
in the journals no longer created the furore which had 
formerly made him the king of the Boulevard for an 
entire week. 

A grave crisis this, for the spoiled children of 
fashion ! When the agitation that surrounds them 
subsides a little, they see those they had despised 
pursuing their way, and quietly ascending higher and 
higher. Poverty again threatens them ; poignant re- 
grets torture them; they perceive the dark gulf of 
oblivion towards which they are gliding, in spite of 
all their efforts, and they feel that the public, once their 
fanatical admirer, almost repents of its enthusiastic 
praise. In the same journal that had repeated their 
every word, and devoted two columns to a description 
of them in their dressing-gowns, they find a severe 


234 


A CniLD OF ISRAEL. 


criticism on the disparity between their merit and their 
popularity ; and even in the cafes where their names 
had formerly been pronounced with awe, they encoun- 
ter only disdainful, though good-natured sneers. The 
principal lion now seated at the Lambertyn's table as 
yet, had this only to fear ; but having attained the 
summit of his ambition, he was tormented by an 
apprehension that he would not be able to retain his 
place, that he would prove himself unequal to his 
position. Every one was watching him ; at least, he 
thought so, and being about to issue a new work, he 
was constantly scenting hostility in the air. 

Another guest, who was for the moment playing the 
spy on him, and who thoroughly detested him, was a 
tall, stalwart, bearded, pugnacious man, who talked 
very loud, ate ravenously, and never minced words. 

He, too, was an author who had spent his youth in 
the beer-shops of Bohemia, studying the manners 
and sentiments of his contemporaries in the vulgar 
crowds that congregate in such places. One fine day, 
finding that his writings failed to win favor, he rolled 
up his sleeves, and boldly undertook to picture human 
depravity in its most revolting aspect. The success of 
his first work of this kind surpassed his wildest hopes. 
The number of editions mounted so high that he com- 
pletely lost his head, and began to regard himself as a 
great man, and the founder of a new school. 

The presence of these celebrities delighted the 
Lambertyns; and every one incited them to display 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


235 


their skill in argument, and give an exhibition of their 
talents for the amusement of the distinguished com- 
pany. But no ; neither of them dared attack the 
other; and with a courtesy more prudent than sincere, 
they yielded each other a mutual support which was 
intended to prove them the best of comrades. 

Louise was astonished, for the criticisms young 
Valastruc murmured in her ear seemed to her infi- 
nitely more brilliant and witty than their conversation. 
Soon, she ceased to listen entirely, and assuming an 
affable air, she said to Octave : 

“ Tell me, are you inclined to reply honestly to a 
question I wish to ask you? ” 

“ That depends,” he rejoined lightly. 

“Do not jest. Your manner towards me humiliates 
me, and wounds my pride. You do not intend to do 
this, I know — ” 

“ On the contrary, since I am paying court to you.” 

“ You have made that remark before ; and it is on 
this subject I wish to speak to you, and I desire you to 
answer me truthfully. Why do you pay court to 
me?” 

“ Is it possible that you have never seen your own 
face?” 

“I am not asking for compliments. I only wish to 
know why an intelligent and well-bred man like your- 
self should feel any desire to pay court to me. A 
man treats only such women as he does not respect in 
such a manner. Am I among the number? And 


236 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


what has led you to form such an estimate of my 
character ? ” Octave appeared slightly abashed. 

“Listen, sir,” she continued. “I forgive you in 
advance, whatever your answer may be. I do not 
understand, and I wish to know the opinion you have 
formed of my character. I swear that I will not take 
offence. Will you enlighten me on this point that so 
puzzles me ? ” 

“ This is a very delicate matter, madame,” replied 
the young man in an entirely different tone. 

“ Do you refuse ? ” 

“No.” 

“ Tell me, and I shall be greatly obliged to you.” 

Octave hesitated a moment. There was so much 
frankness in the lady’s manner that he was vaguely 
tempted to content himself with asking her to pardon 
him for his stupidity ; but it is not with impunity that 
one becomes acclimated to what is known as the upper 
classes, and he speedily overcame the embarrassment 
which had seized him. He admired this lady, and he 
fancied that any revelation he might make in regard to 
her husband’s derelictions would advance his own 
interests ; besides, it did not displease him to have his 
revenge on one of the noblemen who had sometimes 
made him feel that they honored him infinitely by 
admitting him into their society. It was pleasant and 
consoling to be able to show these high and mighty 
personages that young Yalastruc was not so greatly 
dazzled as they had supposed. 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


237 


“Our hostess is about to leave the table,” he 
replied ; “ permit me to take you out upon the terrace, 
and there, madame, I shall place myself at your 
orders.” 

“ First of all,” began Octave on reaching the terrace 
which overlooked the lake, and from which the other 
guests were frightened away by the dampness ; “ I 
humbly apologize. I have committed a terrible 
blunder in speaking to you in a manner which has 
prejudiced you against me. But frankly, is it my 
fault ? ” 

“What?” 

“ Am I alone to blame, I mean. In a word, are you 
sure you do everything possible to protect yourself 
from such attentions ? ” 

“ Do you pretend that I encourage them ? ” 

“ You expose yourself to them, at least.” 

a I? ” 

“Unconsciously, and in spite of yourself, I know 
very well; but the effect is the same, and you are 
right to be charitable to such as offend.” 

The moonlight shone full on the young man’s face. 
Louise looked at him closely and could not doubt his 
sincerity. 

“ I confess that I do not understand you at all,” she 
said at last. “In what way do I expose myself to this 
danger, as you say? Tell me, since, as you yourself 
admit, I am ignorant of it.” 

“ As I said before, this is a very delicate subject,” re- 


238 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


plied Octave, with feigned hesitation. “But why do 
you tolerate around you persons in regard to whose 
' character you alone have any doubts? How can you 
permit a woman like Josephine des Orniers to appear 
in your salon, to pretend to be your friend, and soil 
your glove with her touch. Even if you know noth- 
ing in regard to her past or her present situation, your 
instinct must tell you plainly enough that she is only 
an adventuress. What can you suppose any one will 
think when he sees among your personal friends a 
woman who, without severing her relations with 
your husband, labored to bring about your marriage, 
and who succeeded in doing so by compelling another 
admirer, Etienne Grella, to furnish the money of which 
the contract assumed your husband to be possessed? ” 

Louise made no response. 

“What one must think,” added the young man, 
“ what one has a right to think, is that you are fully 
aware of the situation, and utterly indifferent to it ; 
and from the manner in which you and your husband 
live, meeting oftener in the houses of others than 
under your own roof, one is led to suppose that you 
have regained your liberty. And why not? You are 
young, beautiful and charming, and one can not help 
feeling that you might be induced to accept a devotion 
and affection which you have missed in your domestic 
life.” 

“ Thank you,” replied Louise, without seeming to 
notice the insinuations contained in the last sentence 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


239 


uttered by the young man, “ thank you, and allow me 
to say for your benefit, monsieur, that I was entirely 
ignorant of my husband’s relations with Madame des 
Orniers. Abbe R6mondat introduced me to her before 
my marriage. I met her first at a ministerial soiree, 
under the last cabinet. He even alluded to her in 
very complimentary terms as the victim of an ill- 
assorted marriage. For this reason, I did not hesitate 
to receive her. As for the pecuniary difficulty, my 
notary found it necessary to inform me of that some 
days ago ; but I was not aware that this woman had 
furnished him with the means to effect the deception. 
Moreover, I do not hesitate to tell you that what is to 
all intents and purposes a separation has taken place 
between my husband and myself ; but since this state 
of affairs places me in a position in which I am ex- 
posed to invidious remark, in short, compromises me 
and imperils my good name, I shall ask the law to 
protect me by freeing me as soon as possible from this 
degrading bondage.” 

“ You intend to apply for a divorce then? ” 

“ Certainly.” 

“Then—” 

“What?” 

“ Make haste.” 

“ Why ? Explain ; I promise that your name shall 
not appear in the suit.” 

“ Ah, madame,” said Octave with a sort of careless 
disdain, “if my testimony can be of the slightest 


240 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL* 


service in any way, do not hesitate to use it ; it will 
not make the slightest difference to me. And since 
you have decided to apply for a separation, enter your 
petition as soon as possible, if you wish to save any 
remnant of your fortune. Quite recently, in conse- 
quence of the fall of the late ministry, the Countess 
des Orniers met with serious losses. Your husband, 
out of gratitude, has undertaken to repair them, and to 
effect this, he is negotiating loans on your common 
property which threaten you with absolute ruin.” 

“ If that could be made the price of my ransom, I 
would offer no opposition,” replied Louise ; “but I must 
have some guarantee of that. Still, I thank you anew.” 

“ Will you pardon me ? Will you permit me to 
remain your friend ? ” 

Louise offered him her hand. He pressed it in a 
manner that displeased her greatly, and she surmised 
that Octave’s revelations had been more interested 
than charitable in their nature ; still, she had gained 
much valuable information. She left him and re- 
turned to the drawing-room to take leave of Madame 
Lambertyn. 

“What, going already?” her hostess exclaimed. 
“You are fastidious, my dear; it would surprise our 
great men this evening if they suspected your indiffer- 
ence. What do you think of them? Rather dull, eh? 
I think myself that I made a mistake in assembling 
several of them ; they seem to be under a constraint, 
and are not nearly as entertaining as usual. 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


241 


CHAPTER XXIII. 

A CRISIS. 

W HEN Louise reached home, still almost stunned 
by Octave Valastruc’s revelations, instead of 
allowing her maid to aid her in undressing, she 
requested her to go and see if the count was at home. 
The girl soon returned, saying : 

44 Monsieur has gone to Havre, and will not be back 
until to-morrow evening.” 

Louise, who had desired to have an immediate expla- 
nation, was greatly disappointed at first; but after- 
wards, she congratulated herself on her husband’s 
absence, as it would give her time to view the situation 
calmly, and to recover from the anger that might carry 
her beyond the bounds of moderation. 

She went to bed, determined to decide upon a plan 
of action ; but she soon found that it was impossible 
to concentrate her thoughts upon this subject. The 
recollection of the hours spent at Pontoise distracted 
them ; all that had passed there recurred again and 
again to her mind. Once more, she heard Pierre’s 
words, and the sound of his voice still rang in her ears 
like the strains of some exquisite melody which had 
touched her inmost soul ; again, she saw the streets 
through which she had passed, leaning on his arm, 
15 


242 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


and the whole seemed a delightful dream. At last 
she fell asleep, murmuring the name of Pierre, with a 
faint smile upon her lips. 

The next day was her reception day, the one day of 
the week for which she made no engagements in order 
that her friends might call with a certainty of finding 
her at home. The events of the evening before made 
her regret the coincidence. She tried to think of some 
excuse for closing her doors, and escaping from social 
obligations, which she was in no mood to fulfil ; but 
what pretext should she give ? She could devise none. 

She hoped that no one would come. In October, 
social relations are still suspended. It is the fashion 
to lead a country life ; hunt during the day, and act 
charades or dance to the music of the piano in the even- 
ing. It is not “ good form ” to resume Parisian habits. 

Nevertheless, quite a crowd appeared about two 
o’clock; a number of ladies being eager to recount 
their adventures at Dieppe, Trouville, Treport and 
the other watering places, to which Parisians resort on 
the plea of health. 

There were also many unmarried men of all ages, 
some of whom were merely trying to kill time by pay- 
ing calls ; while others, elegant specimens of the swell 
of the day, were in pursuit of fresh conquests. 

Guest had succeeded guest without a moment’s 
cessation, when about four o’clock, the footman 
announced : 

“ The Countess des Orniers.” 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


243 


The heart of Louise ceased to beat and she became 
frightfully pale ; but by a sudden effort of will, she 
succeeded in maintaining a smiling face and a calm, 
unruffled brow. She had suddenly resolved to punish 
the offender in the most decisive manner. 

“ Good morning, my dear,” said the countess on 
entering. She was dressed in perfect taste, and her 
manner showed that she felt herself on safe ground. 
One might even have supposed she was in her own 
house ; still, she seemed slightly surprised that her 
hostess did not rise from her chair to receive her. A 
mere trifle, it is true. 

“ Are you ill ? ” she inquired. 

“No, only a little tired,” replied Louise. “I dined 
yesterday with the Lambertyns at Enghien ; and all 
the bustle and excitement there fatigued me.” 

“It was a brilliant party, I suppose.” 

“ As their entertainments always are.” 

“ I was not able to go, to my great regret. This is 
the third time I have been obliged to decline their 
invitation. They will end in forgetting me.” 

“By no means; your ears must have burned last 
evening? ” 

“ Why, did any one speak of me ? ” 

“ A great deal.” 

“Really?” 

“You need not doubt it.” 

“Then you, my dear friend, must have been the 
speaker.” „ 


244 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


“ No ; on the contrary I was a listener, but naturally 
a very interested listener on hearing the part you 
played in my marriage.” 

‘‘I?” 

“Come, come, do not display so much modesty, 
my dear.” 

Then, turning to her other visitors, she added in 
the same tone in which she would have related a 
good joke : 

“ Know, my friends, that when the time came to sign 
the marriage contract, poor M. d’Aitignies could not 
imagine what saint to apply to, in order to replace the 
fortune which he was supposed to possess, but which 
he had in reality scattered to the four winds, in all 
sorts of dissipation. Fortunately, Madame des Orniers 
took compassion on him. Did you not, my dear?” 
said Louise, laughing. 

“But — ” began Josephine, a prey to the greatest 
perplexity. 

She did not know what to think. Louise’s apparent 
gayety prevented her from reading her secret thoughts. 
Did she really take it so philosophically? She was not 
sure, and consequently did not know what course to 
pursue in order to escape from this most unpleasant 
predicament. To indignantly protest against a fact 
which the person most interested seemed to regard as 
a mere peccadillo, seemed likely to aggravate the situ- 
ation, from which she fancied she might still extricate 
herself by a falsehood or a half-laughing repartee. 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


245 


“ Come, come,” interrupted Louise with admirably 
feigned mischievousness of manner, “you did take 
compassion on him, do not deny it. This is proved 
indubitably by the fact that you persuaded M. Etienne 
Grella to loan for twenty-four hours the sum which 
our imprudent Godefroy must show to the notary at 
all hazards.” 

“You are mistaken,” replied Josephine, who had 
lost her wits completely, and who was now seeking 
salvation in a general and determined denial. “Yes, 
you are mistaken, and I have been shamefully slan- 
dered. It is not the only calumny that has pursued 
me, and without danger, as women who are separated 
from their husbands can be defended by no one.” 

Louise still smiling, interrupted her. 

“Take care, my dear,” she said. “A person of 
your shrewdness should not be guilty of the mistake 
of relating her misfortunes.” 

Entirely deceived by the careless tone of her young 
hostess, Josephine continued: 

“Undoubtedly this is an inopportune moment to 
convince you of my entire innocence in this matter ; 
but my regard for my pride and my reputation, com- 
pels me to furnish proofs of it.” 

“ Pray do nothing of the kind ! Why should you 
give yourself the trouble?” 

“Pardon me,” replied Madame des Orniers, vehe- 
mently. “ Though you, in your natural honesty, scorn 
to listen to such calumnies, I owe it to myself and to 


246 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


others, to refute them, if only for the sake of my 
reputation.” 

Louise laughed aloud. 

“ Hear, hear ! ” she exclaimed, “ she takes the thing 
tragically ! Why, no one expects you to defend your- 
self : no one thinks of reproaching you. Do you sup- 
pose that I care anything about it? Why do you 
assume such imposing airs and choose such grandilo- 
quent words ? Can you not see that the story amuses 
me, and that I admire the expedient? It certainly 
betrays great originality on the part of the inventor. 
But what is greatly to your honor, as you say, is to 
have persuaded Grella that by lending you his aid in 
this stratagem, he would rid himself of a rival.” 

One can imagine the embarrassment of the specta- 
tors of this scene. A silent and oppressive consterna- 
tion reigned, though the lovers of scandal experienced 
not a little secret exultation. 

The last word' had scarcely fallen from the lips of 
Louise, when Madame des Orniers, unable to endure 
longer the curious and disdainful glances of those 
around her, sprang up. Anger, shame, and rage at 
her defeat choked her utterance. Had it not been 
for the presence of witnesses, she might have given 
full vent to her passion ; as it was, she moved towards 
the door with ominous calmness, and bowing with an 
air of bravado, said: 

“ Au revoir , madame. 

14 Oh, no,” replied Louise with smiling contempt, 
“ farewell, my dear.” 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


247 


The door had scarcely closed when those present 
burst forth into a storm of eager and enthusiastic 
applause. 

“ Bravo ! my dear child,” repeated the ladies. “ You 
set an excellent example, calculated to destroy the 
culpable apathy of such persons amongst us as tolerate 
the companionship of disreputable women simply from a 
regard for decorum. But what will be the result when 
she tells M. d’Aitignies that you have publicly turned 
her out of the house ? Have you taken the necessary 
precautions ? Have you the means of defending your- 
self? If matters come to the worst, can you count 
upon your family? In any case, we are at your 
service ; you can depend upon our support and that of 
our relatives and friends.” 

“I thank you,” Louise replied quietly. “I hope, 
however, that there will be no public scandal.” 

At half past six, Godefroy’s coup6, which had gone 
to the Saint-Lazare station to meet him, entered the 
court-yard. 

Louise was certain that her husband had come 
straight to the house without seeing the countess; 
consequently, he must be ignorant of what had 
occurred during the day. 

Still it could scarcely be possible that Josephine had 
not sent him some message. 

In fact, on entering his own room, Godefroy received 
from the hands of his valet an envelope containing 
Madame des Orniers’ card, with a line written in a 


248 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


trembling hand, requesting him to come to the Boule- 
vard Malesherbes at once, without fail. 

He frowned, hesitated an instant, then making up 
his mind, opened his blotting-case and wrote : 

“My Good Josephine: 

“ The first thing that must be done now, is to obtain 
my wife’s signature. I have just returned from Havre, 
where I have investigated every detail, and I under- 
stand the situation better than you can. When I have 
an opportunity to explain all, you will see that it was 
absolutely necessary to postpone our interview. 

“ I have convinced the gentlemen, by dint of much 
persuasion, and have obtained their consent to the 
desired arrangement on the express condition that the 
first payment shall be made by seven o’clock in the 
evening, at the very latest, day after to-morrow. 

“ I have had a great deal of difficulty, I assure you, 
in effecting this arrangement, and it would be the 
height of imprudence to incur any risk of defeat by an 
hour’s dela}' ; but if Louise’s signature can be obtained 
this evening, all that it will be necessary for us to do 
to-morrow, will be to take the deeds to a broker, who 
will at once negotiate a loan upon them. He can let 
us have the money by nine o’clock the next morning, 
and we can telegraph the parties in Havre that it will 
be forwarded by the noon-day train. 

“I am unable to say at what hour of the night I 
shall be able to bring you this signature which will 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


249 


enable me to repay a little of your kindness to me, and 
to release you from the odious protectorate of Grella. 
Ah, my dear Josephine, what a consolation this will be 
to me! You will never know what it has cost me to 
endure the society of that vulgar man, and his tiresome 
conversation, to say nothing of the insulting familiarity 
of his manner towards you. If I succeed in this 
scheme, we shall both be rid of him forever; you will 
have no further need of him, and I swear that you 
shall live as you please. 

“ So, when I see you this evening, no matter how 
late it may be, I shall have effected our deliverance, 
which will be the best proof of the unalterable de- 
votion of 

“ Your Big Baby, 

“ Godefkoy d’Aitignies.” 

He signed his full name as a mark of esteem, know- 
ing that women of doubtful reputation are extremely 
sensitive on this point. The letter sealed, he ordered 
it delivered at once. He no longer thought it neces- 
sary to take any precautions; all his servants were 
aware of his intimacy with the countess, and he 
troubled himself very little about their comments. 

Having done this, he made his toilet in the best of 
spirits, and just as the clock struck seven, he entered 
the drawing-room, courteous and gallant to an unusual 
degree, and offered his arm to his wife to escort her to 
the dining-room, the footman having just announced 
that dinner was on the table. 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


250 


“ This was your reception day,” he remarked. “ Did 
you have many visitors ? ” 

“ More than I expected.” 

“ Who called?” 

She mentioned the names of several acquaintances, 
and he made some inquiry in regard to each of them. 

“ Is she well? ” 

“ Perfectly.” 

“ And her children ? ” 

“ They are charming.” 

“ Did they return to the city with her ? ” 

“ Yes, in time for the opening of school.” 

One would have thought this a model household. 
At dessert, Godefroy asked carelessly : 

“ Are you going out this evening ? ” 

“ No.” 

“ Can you give me a moment ? ” 

“ Certainly. Why?” 

“I would like to speak to you on an important 
matter.” 

“ Very well.” 

“ It will not bore you too much ? ” 

“ Why should you suppose so ? ” 

“ You are very kind, my dear.” 

“I am certainly very grateful for your praise, 
Godefroy ; but I really do not deserve it, for I also 
desire to speak to you in regard to certain matters of 
no little importance.” 

Louise had laid down her napkin. 


a child of Israel. 251 

“Will you take your coffee in my room?” she 
added, rising. “ Have you any cigars ? ” 

“ Will you allow me to smoke ? ” 

“Yes, for once. Are you coming?” 

She led the way to her own room, and motioning 
him to an arm-chair near the fire, which was blazing 
merrily, she rolled a little table towards him for the 
tray containing the coffee equipage which a servant 
had just brought in. 

Before seating herself, she poured out a cup for her 
husband. 

“ Thanks,” said Godefroy, sweetening it, “ but will 
you not take some, Louise?” 

“ A canard , if you please ; that is all I dare allow 
myself when I desire to sleep.” 

The count gallantly soaked a lump of sugar in his 
cup and offered it to her on his spoon. Instead of 
taking it in the tips of her fingers, the young wife 
raised the spoon to her lips, then returned it to her 
husband, after which she scratched a match and carried 
her condescension so far as to aid him in lighting his 
cigar, the end of which he had already bitten off. 

This courteous familiarity would certainly have 
convinced any casual observer that the best of feeling 
prevailed between the young couple. 

Godefroy really experienced a singular but decidedly 
pleasant impression. In fact, he felt extremely com- 
fortable: these little attentions proving so pleasant 
and soothing in their effect, that he really wished he 


252 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


had provoked them oftener. On contemplating his 
wife in this mood, it seemed to him that she was 
endowed with charms which he had up to that time 
failed to discern, and he was actually half inclined to 
fall in love with her. 

Consequently, it was with considerable regret that 
he began the attack. Louise really seemed to him 
exceedingly attractive ; but business is business, and 
seeing her in such apparent good humor, he thought 
this an excellent omen for the success of his enterprise, 
so he opened fire by saying : 

“ My dear, I have a slight favor to ask of you.” 

44 1 am listening,” replied Louise. 

44 Decidedly weary of my indolent life, I am about to 
engage in certain business enterprises of a partly 
financial and partly industrial nature, which can not 
fail to furnish me with the means of repairing the 
breaches in my fortune caused by my youthful extrava- 
gance, and of materially increasing our income. Do 
you disapprove this intention on my part?” 

44 Far from it.” 

“ I fear I should weary you by explaining my plans 
in detail.” 

“ By no means ; still, as it is hardly likely that I 
should understand — ” 

44 You agree to this much then, do you not?” 

44 Certainly.” 

“Ah, well! I can not engage in these enterprises 
without capital.” 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


253 


“ I should suppose not.” 

“ And in order to insure us the greater part of the 
profits, I must soon expend quite a large sum of 
money.” 

“ Do so. What hinders you ? ” 

“ Nothing, judging from the approbation you evince. 
But to dispose of any portion of our common property, 
your formal consent is necessary ; that is to say, your 
signature, without which, the notary who has charge 
of your dowry is forbidden by law to yield up any 
portion of it.” 

“ I am aware of that fact.” 

Godefroy thought : “lam progressing finely ; ” and 
already he heard the gold coins he coveted jingling in 
his pocket. 

“ So, my dear,” he added, drawing out his wallet, 
“ to carry out my plans, I shall need the signature I 
have just spoken of ; that is all.” 

“And you have counted on obtaining it, Godefroy?” 

“ Certainly.” 

“ I am very sorry.” 

“Sorry! Why?” 

“ Because I can not give you this signature.” 

“ What ! You refuse it ? ” 

“ Absolutely.” 

And as he stood there positively thunderstruck, she 
continued : 

“ Do I surprise you ? If so, it is probably because 
your attention has been so much engrossed elsewhere 


254 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL 


that you have not taken the trouble, to read my charac- 
ter. You see, Godefroy, I am what is commonly called 
a good-natured person; but though I attach little im- 
portance to money, I do not intend to be made a 
laughing-stock ; a very natural determination on my 
part, you must admit.” 

“ I do not understand you,” stammered Godefroy, 
thoroughly bewildered. 

“I do not see how you can fail to do so. The 
undertaking you propose is dishonorable, worse than 
dishonorable, infamous. Its object is not to repair the 
breaches in your fortune caused by youthful extrava- 
gance, or to increase our income, but merely to better 
the pecuniary condition of the Countess des Orniers. 
Do not interrupt me,” she continued, as he attempted 
a denial, “ you will gain nothing by useless protesta- 
tions. Fortunately, during your absence, certain 
events occurred which will enable you to better 
appreciate the situation. Allow me to inform you 
that in the presence of at least fifteen of our acquaint- 
ances, I showed your friend Josephine the door, fully 
explaining my reasons for so doing. She departed 
rather out of humor, but still retaining sufficient 
presence of mind to threaten me with an au revoir 
which amused us exceedingly. You can hardly 
suppose I have any intention of giving you the 
money you desire for her use after that.” 

Godefroy could not believe his ears ; like all crafty 
persons he tried to discover some hidden motive in his 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


255 


wife’s strange conduct, seeing in her words only a test, 
and wondering if she was not making these misrepre- 
sentations in order to discover the truth. How could 
he believe that this wife formerly so passive and so 
resigned, had displayed so much audacity as to defy 
him, the man who had flattered himself that he had 
thoroughly intimidated her? And if she had really 
dismissed the countess with such publicity, was it 
likely that she would inform him of the fact with such 
perfect coolness? Still, he recollected the letter by 
which Josephine had peremptorily summoned him just 
now, and a prey to mingled despondency and anger, he 
no longer knew what to think. 

“I must be dreaming,” he said at last. “ This surely 
can not be true. You certainly would not have dared 
on the strength of vague suspicions or a malicious 
rumor to publicly insult one of our friends.” 

“ My dear, it is not late,” replied the young wife 
tranquilly. “ Take a carriage, and in less than half an 
hour Madame des Orniers will confirm all that I have 
just told you.” 

“ And you have really done this thing ? ” exclaimed 
Godefroy advancing threateningly towards her. 

“ With very great pleasure.” 

With a furious movement, Godefroy seized a gilded 
chair, and raised it high above the head of Louise. 
Without flinching or attempting to avoid the blow, she 
reached out her arm towards the bell-rope which hung 
beside the chimney; and for an instant both stood 


256 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


there motionless, gazing intently at each other in 
ominous silence. When her husband at last stepped 
back and dropped the chair, Louise said : 

“ I will make you an offer ; five hundred thousand 
francs for my freedom; five hundred thousand francs, 
which shall be paid over to you the very day following 
that on which the law shall separate us.” 

“ You are mad ! ” exclaimed Godefroy, half frantic 
with rage. 

“ In that case, I will detain you no longer,” replied 
Louise, with the same calmness. “ Madame des Orniers 
is probably waiting for } t ou ; good evening.” 

He planted himself directty in front of her. 

“There must be an end to this,” he said harshly. 

“I warn you that at the slightest attempt at vio- 
lence, I shall summon assistance.” 

“I know it,” replied Godefroy sneeringly. “But 
have no fears, for I am not so foolish as to furnish you 
with grounds for the suit you contemplate. You need 
not flatter yourself that you will attain your object. 
Bound we are ; bound we shall remain ; I defy you to 
gain the separation which you desire ; I defy you to 
produce any proofs of real grievances, and since you 
have resolved to def}' me, so much the worse for you ! 
You have chosen war; and you shall see what that is 
with a man like me.” 

Louise suddenly sprang up and pointing to the door 
with an imperious gesture, said : 

“ You are a scoundrel ! Leave the room I ” 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


257 


“Not I,” he responded with an insolent sneer. “I 
am in my own house, and I find you really charming 
this evening.” 

An expression of mingled terror and loathing passed 
over the face of Louise ; then, seeing her husband 
again advancing towards her, she rushed to the win- 
dow, threw it wide open, and exclaimed with frenzied 
passion : “ One step more, and I will fling myself out 
upon the pavement ! ” 

At first the canon's spiritual son saw in this menace 
a mere attempt at intimidation, a coup de theatre which 
would amount to nothing, and never had his wife 
appeared so attractive ; but the moment was inop- 
portune. He had no time to waste just then: the 
dSnoument must be postponed until a better opportu- 
nity offered. Louise waited, panting violently, with a 
terrible interrogation in her eyes. 

“I am going, said Godefroy slowly, “but remember 
this, Louise, there is nothing in the world, there is no 
person under heaven who can dissolve our marriage. 
So reflect ; remember that your future is in your own 
hands ; it depends entirely upon your conduct towards 
me.” 

Then, drawing a paper from his pocket, and laying 
it on the mantel : 

“ Here,” he added, “ is a power of attorney to which 
I must have your signature. I shall wait for it in my 
room until five o’clock in the morning ; after that hour 
has passed, you may expect anything from me.” 

16 


258 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


CHAPTER XXIV. 

NO HOPE OF AID. 

I N the meantime Baron Vaconsin was enjoying him- 
self hugely at Bovilliers. Hares, partridges, grouse 
and game of every description must have imagined 
that the end of the world had come, so great was the 
slaughter effected by the baron and his friends, in the 
arrondissement. The servants at the chateau were 
kept busy from morning until night, and great hampers 
of game were nightly despatched to Paris, to Bona- 
partists there, who fancied that the happy days of the 
CompiSgne hunts had come again. 

There was a large party at the chateau ; covers were 
laid for forty guests every day, and the Baroness Vacon- 
sin de Bovilliers, nee de Belencour was at her wits end, 
for not unfrequently the supply of silver proved inade- 
quate, and they were often obliged to hire assistant 
laundresses to wash the table linen as fast as it was 
needed. 

In the midst of all this confusion came a telegram 
from Louise : 

“ Please send carriage to meet the four o'clock train.” 

“ Something has happened ! ” the baroness remarked 
lo her husband. 44 1 have a presentiment of it.” 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


259 


The baron shook his head without making any 
response, for he was secretly thinking : 

“How inconvenient just now. We were enjoying 
ourselves so much ! ” 

An hour after the arrival of the train, Louise 
ascended the steps leading to the chateau. Her 
mother was at the door to receive her, and Louise 
threw herself into her arms and burst into tears as 
she kissed her. 

“ Take care, Louise, take care, my child. The ser- 
vants are watching you, and we have company. They 
must not see you in such a condition. Come to my 
room. Your father remained at home from the hunt 
to welcome you. I will send him word that you have 
come.” 

As she led her daughter to her private apartments, 
she gave the necessary order. 

“Now, my dear,” she said, “what is the matter? 
You positively terrify me.” 

Then listening an instant : 

“Wait; some one is coming, — your father, undoubt- 
edly. Yes, here he is ; now we will listen to you.” 

The baron saw at a glance that some disagreeable 
revelation was in store for him, and even while he 
kissed Louise, he frowned impatiently. He detested 
solemnity of any sort, and especially unpleasant sur- 
prises ; besides, he was secretly angry with his daugh- 
ter for bursting in upon them like a bomb-shell, 
without informing them in advance of the object of 
her visit. 


260 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


“ What the deuce was the matter 1 ” 

He was not obliged to ask. In clear and concise 
terms, Louise informed her parents of all that had 
occurred ; she described the scenes of the previous day, 
the punishment she had inflicted on Madame des 
Orniers, and the interview which had followed between 
herself and Godefroy, and concluded by saying that a 
separation was inevitable, and that she counted upon 
the support of her family. 

To her great surprise, a silence which could not have 
been the result of consternation alone, followed her 
statement of the case. Her father and mother though 
sincerely grieved, displayed great prudence ; there was 
no ouburst of indignation or of tenderness. They 
acted very much like people of whom some one had 
asked a loan, and who, not daring to utter a straight- 
forward refusal, were racking their brains to find some 
way of escape. 

“ The devil ! the devil ! ” exclaimed the baron, 
moving uneasily about in his chair. 

“ Ah, good heavens, good heavens ! ” moaned the 
baroness, nSe de Belencour, hiding her face in her 
hands. 

€t What a misfortune ! ” 

“ How terrible ! ” 

One would have thought that the brunt of the 
affliction had fallen upon them. 

“ Can it be that you intend to desert me ? ” asked 
Louise, completely bewildered. 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


261 


“You are mad! Certainly not, but — ” 

“But what? Was not my marriage your work? 
Should you not yourselves deliver me from the man 
who has betrayed your confidence ? ” 

“Ah! my poor child!” exclaimed the baroness, 
lifting her eyes to heaven, “what do you suppose 
that we can do for you ? By what authority can we 
keep you in opposition to your husband’s wishes ? We 
are unable even to offer you a refuge The law gives 
your husband a right to tear you from our very arms.” 

“Besides,” added the baron, “have you reflected 
on the scandal of a separation ? What ! you do not 
shrink from a suit, from the pleading of the lawyers, 
and the comments of society?” 

“No,” replied Louise, “having no cause to reproach 
myself, these things have no terrors for me.” 

“ Possibly not for you, but what an ordeal for us ! ” 

“ Yes, my child,” added the baroness, witt tears in 
her eyes, “for us, my daughter, who will become 
the laughing-stock of our acquaintances. Have you 
thought of the blame that will attach to us? We 
shall be accused of imprudence, and we shall be 
severely censured. Have you given the subject suffi- 
cient consideration? Moreover, do you suppose that 
your husband will not oppose you ? He has virtually 
announced his intention of doing so by defying you to 
triumph over him. He is consequently sure of your 
inability to produce any conclusive proofs of ill-treat- 
ment on his part and- -strange as it may appear to you 


202 A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 

— he may be able to produce evidence against you and 
against your character that will materially weaken 
your charges against him.” 

“ Besides, how* would it be, even if you should gain 
your suit?” continued this fond father. “What 
would become of you ? Where would you go? 
What social standing would you be able to preserve ? 
I confess, my dear daughter, that your return to our 
household would be extremely painful to me. You 
would ever seem to me a reproachful spectre ; and 
my disappointment and mortification would overwhelm 
me. Such an arrangement is not to be thought of, so 
what would you do ? Enter a convent ? ” 

That would certainly be the best arrangement,” 
said the baroness with a sob ; k * but she is not suffi- 
ciently devout and submissive in disposition, and that 
is, perhaps, the real cause of all the trouble.” 

“ And what if you attempted to remain in society in 
the character of a divorced woman ? ” continued the 
baron, with a sigh of acquiescence. “Ah, my poor 
Louise, you have no idea of the mortification to which 
you would be subjected. However exemplary your 
conduct might be, you would not escape suspicion ; and 
sooner or later you would inevitably become the vic- 
tim either of treacherous insinuations or of machina- 
tions from which no one would have the power to 
protect you.” 

Louise made no attempt to interrupt them, but 
gazed first at one, and then ?t the other with a sort of 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


• 263 


unaffected curiosity. She had been prepared for any- 
thing but this — this indifference so manifestly selfish 
in its character. ^ She understood them thoroughly, 
and rising, without making any reply to their admoni- 
tions, she said : 

“ Pardon me, both of you. I was carried away by 
excitement, but I am calmer now. After all, the peril 
has not yet come ; let matters remain as they are for 
ihe present.” 

The faces of her parents suddenly brightened. They 
were convinced that they had made a deep impression 
on the mind of their unfortunate daughter ; and they 
believed her intimidated by the gloomy picture they 
had drawn of her future. 

“Yes, that will be best,” they replied, evidently 
greatly relieved. “ Calm your emotions first ; allow 
your strained nerves time to relax, and the situation 
will doubtless appear to you under entirely different 
colors. We can discuss the subject to some purpose 
then.” 

Louise carried filial respect so far as to thank them 
and wish them good-night. 

“Will you not remain several days?” inquired the 
baron. 

“ No, father ; I shall return to Paris to-morrow 
morning, very probably before you are up, so bid me 
good-by now.” 

When she was once more alone in her own chamber, 
Louise sank into a chair, crushed and bewildered 


264 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


What ! were these the parents she had loved and 
trusted? This was her family? Wounded, mortified 
and threatened, she had come to ask their protection, 
and they had nothing for her but commonplaces ! 
They even insinuated that she was chiefly to blame, 
since she had brought her misfortunes upon herself by 
the rebellious disposition which her brother, they said, 
had encouraged in her. 

How completely were her illusions destroyed ! What 
a feeling of isolation suddenly assailed her ! She had 
nothing to hope for from them. Indeed, to judge 
from the disposition they displayed, they were rather 
inclined to censure their unhappy daughter than to 
espouse her cause. Still, they were greatly deceived, 
if they fancied they had shaken her determination. 
More firmly than ever was Louise resolved to sever 
every link that bound her to her husband. Even 
though she set all Paris to talking about her, stirred 
up public opinion against her, though she might be 
obliged to renounce her friendships, and her rank in 
society, and even exile herself from her native land, 
she was resolved to leave this man at any cost. 

When the baron and baroness were again alone 
together, they very naturally exchanged some disa- 
greeable remarks, each being anxious to escape the 
responsibility of what had occurred. 

“ This is only what one might expect from your 
legitimist bigots!” sneered the baron. 

“ This is the result of a liberal education,” retorted 
madame, bitterly. 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 265 

The quarrel did not become serious, however, from 
the fact that both of them flattered themselves that 
they had induced Louise to quietly submit to her lot. 

It is not unfrequently the case with women that 
when the age of maternity has passed, the maternal 
sentiments and instincts seem to die out entirely. 
Their offspring no longer have the power to arouse 
their sympathy. Their child is no more to them than 
any other person : they wish him or her well if every- 
thing goes on smoothly, but circumstances may, at any 
moment, cause them to look upon their own offspring 
as an enemy. The jealousy of a mother towards a 
daughter, which is quite often noticed, is a manifesta- 
tion of this phenomenon ; and the avidity with which 
some mothers in moderate circumstances pursue their 
sons in order to extort money from them, has no other 
explanation. No remnant of maternal indulgence and 
affection remains; the child no longer exists. As soon 
as she leaves the house, the daughter becomes a rival ; 
the son, too often a debtor whom they do not blush to 
harass in every conceivable way, and whose prosperity 
seems to them a personal affront unless they can 
profit by it. 

Fortunately for Louise, her mother, baffled at every 
point from her infancy, was now too advanced in 
years to seek revenge or compensation in the fash- 
ionable world, and aspired to a single blessing — peace. 
Ah ! she might at least be left undisturbed. The time 
had certainly come when she should enjoy the reward 
of her resignation! 


266 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


“ Have I not deserved it ? ” she said to herself, with 
the greatest possible sincerity. 

Obliged to yield to her father, she had married a 
man whom she hated ; she had endured with more or 
less equanimity her inevitable contact and intimacy 
with this despised person ; she had borne him two chil- 
dren, which she had reared and cared for until they 
became old enough to fight the battle of life for them- 
selves. What more could any one expect of her ? 

She had considered herself freed from all further 
obligations to humanity, and here was one of her chil- 
dren suddenly returning to torment her. This was 
too much ! 

“ Why could she not in turn have accepted her lot 
with resignation,” she said sulkily to herself. u What 
has she to complain of, after all ? Her husband does 
not please her? Well, does she suppose I went into 
ecstacies over mine? He bores her to death, he de- 
frauds her ; he threatens her with personal violence ; 
the whole affair drives me nearly frantic ; but I have 
had a similar experience. I can only pray for her.” 

Whereupon the good lady fell into a peaceful slum- 
ber, and dreamed that everything came to rights of its 
own accord. 

As for the baron, he called in the aid of his phi- 
losophy. 

“ I understand,” he said to himself ; “ it is like having 
a tooth drawn. One makes a great ado for a time, but 
one soon gets over it. The first time I meet my 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


267 


son-in-law, I shall expostulate with him ; and unless 
he tells me to mind my business, which I should not 
have failed to do if M. B&lencour had seen fit to 
meddle with my affairs, this conjugal quarrel will 
amount to nothing.” 

Having arrived at this eminently satisfactory con- 
clusion, he went to bed, and regaled himself with a 
perusal of a copy of the Premier-Pans , in which the 
editor made it as clear as daylight that the government 
was composed entirely of scoundrels who were no 
better than highway robbers. 

After a sleepless night, Louise rose with the dawn, 
and dressed hastily, eager to leave this house in which 
there was no longer any place for her. The entire 
household was still asleep, and she descended to the 
garden without encountering any one. There, she 
wandered aimlessly along under the trees whose foliage 
was already dyed with the tints of autumn. 

The melancholy aspect of nature harmonized with 
the sadness that oppressed her own heart. She seemed 
to be bidding a final adieu to this spot which had been 
the cradle of her earliest infancy, and in which she had 
dreamed so many girlish dreams, — dreams which were 
not unreasonable, but which had nevertheless been 
cruelly disappointed. Yes, cruelly, for what had she 
done to deserve such a fate ? 

As she again asked herself this question, the face of 
Pierre rose before her, and she bowed her head. 

“What have I done?” she repeated. “I stifled the 


268 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


dictates of my heart. I resisted the mysterious power 
that attracted me to him. I was ashamed to love a 
man who worshipped God in a different manner from 
that which I had been taught. I disdained the happi- 
ness that was offered to me ; I condemned to pain and 
suffering a good and honest heart that loved and hon- 
ored me, and that would have made my life one long, 
chaste, noble poem. I was a coward, an egotist and a 
fool. That is what I have done ; that is why I have 
no right to complain of my unhappy fate since it is my 
own work. 

“Yes, a coward and an egotist,” she repeated, “since 
I repaid his love with a scorn that has cast a shadow 
over his life ; a fool, for to whom and to what have I 
sacrificed his happiness and mine ? To religious preju- 
dices, which I have the humiliation to share with 
Madame des Orniers, and others of a similar character, 
and to a father and mother who are bored by the 
account of my misfortunes ! ” 

She remembered what her brother had said to her in 
the Exhibition of painting, apropos of Pierre’s picture. 
“How perfectly right he was,” she said sadly. 

A desire to write to Charles and summon him to her 
aid flashed through her mind. In three days, he could 
be with her. He was in Vienna, acting as military 
attache to the French Embassy. Once in receipt of a 
telegram from her, he would obtain leave, return to 
her, listen to her revelations and then — 

Then, he would perhaps take such vigorous measures 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 269 

that his career would be compromised, if not ruined. 
She knew him so well ! He would go on regardless of 
consequences ; impetuous and incapable of hesitation, 
whatever the result might be. 

No ; she abandoned this plan and tried to persuade 
herself that she would be able to fight her own battles 
unaided; that her strength would suffice her in the 
struggle she must undertake to cast off the yoke from 
which she was determined to free herself at any cost. 
It was not from fear that she resolved not to ask her 
brother’s aid, but from affection for him. 

Abb6 Lahoulotte, the poor curate, whom she had not 
seen since her return from Cannes, surprised her there. 

“ You, Madame ! ” he exclaimed with mingled aston- 
ishment and compassion, “you, here, in the cold and 
fog.” 

“ Yes, Monsieur, yes ; but I did not come to join in 
the hunt, I assure you.” 

“ I was satisfied of that.” 

“ Why?” 

“ By the expression of your face.” 

“ What does that say ? ” 

“ That you are in trouble.” 

“Worse than trouble, my father,” exclaimed Louise 
with a sob. 

The abb6 stretched out his long, angular hand. 

“ Rise,” he said gently, “ walk on by my side and 
tell me your troubles, my child. He, who listens to 
you, is not only a priest, but a poor, tried and tempted 


270 A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 

human being like yourself; you are sure of being 
understood. 

> She told him all without the slightest reserve ; all, 
even her unhappiness in the days immediately follow- 
ing her marriage, her love for a Jew, her remorse on 
that account, her wrath against destiny, and her 
determination to free herself from her bondage. 

The abb6 did not seem shocked in the least; but 
when she had concluded, he paused and again taking 
her hand, said with kindly earnestness : 

“ Never, my dear child, have I so deeply regretted 
my insignificance as now, since it makes me incapable 
of rendering you any effectual aid. Ah ! why did you 
not confide your mental conflicts to me before it was 
too late to prevent these misfortunes ! A minister of 
Christ, imbued with his spirit, I might have strength- 
ened you against yourself. I should have said to you : 
‘ Go in peace, my daughter ; follow the promptings of 
your own heart, without fear of offending God. 
Remember what we are ; mere atoms in the immensity 
of the universe. How can you suppose that the 
Creator of countless worlds will take offence at the 
love of a poor girl merely because the man she loves 
prays in Hebrew, instead of in Latin ? ’ ” 

Strange to say, she was not surprised at these strange 
teachings from the lips of an abb6. She comprehended 
only one thing : that she could expect no more aid 
from God in releasing her from her martyrdom, than 
He had vouchsafed in protecting her from it. Upon 
whom, then, could she depend? 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 271 

“ Upon yourself alone, Louise. Yourself alone, with 
the aid of time.” 

He said this in all sincerity; but still, was this 
really so? She repeated the question to herself, unwil- 
ling to admit, on his simple affirmation that there was 
nothing for her but resignation. 

To resign herself to her fate ! The very thought 
made her soul revolt. What ! submit to such injustice ? 
Rather would she brave any scandal. She would 
endure anything in preference to the humiliation of 
acknowledging herself conquered. What deference 
did she owe to the wishes of parents who had virtually 
cast her off, and who thought the best thing she could 
do would be to bury herself for life within the walls of 
a cloister. 

“ The abb6 is right,” she said to herself. “ I have 
only myself to rely upon. So be it, then ! ” 

At nine o’clock, she took the train for Paris, returned 
to her home, and sent a message to her notary request- 
ing him to call upon her immediately. 

“ I have need of a part of my dowry,” she said to 
him, on his entrance. “ Can you give it to me ? ” 

“With your husband’s consent, I can give you all 
you desire.” 

“ Is there no way to dispense with his consent ? ” 

“ None.” 

“But what if I should contract debts?” 

“ Debts of what kind, Madame ? ” 

“ What difference does it make what kind of debts 
they may be ? ” 


272 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL, 


“Pardon me, it makes a great deal of difference. If 
you purchase furniture, or clothing or anything of that 
description, and if the total amount expended is in 
accord with your fortune and position, whatever resist- 
ance your husband may make, the courts will compel 
him to pay the money.” 

“But what if the indebtedness should be the result 
of unfortunate speculations ? ” 

“ Real or pretended ? ” 

“ Either.” 

“ The courts will declare your common property free 
from all obligation.” 

“Very well. But to return to the original proposi- 
tion. What if my husband should be placed in a 
similar position? In that case, is there any probability 
that he would obtain the same decision ? ” 

“ Alas, no.” 

“ Hence, it follows that it is in his power to ruin us 
at any time, while I — ” 

“You, Madame, under such circumstances, could 
demand a division of the property, and there is little 
doubt but that your request would be complied with.” 

“ In that case should I have a right to make such 
disposition of the remainder as I choose ? ” 

“ With his consent, yes.” 

“ With his consent ? ” repeated Louise. “ That is 
absurd.” 

“I do not deny it,” replied the notary; “but such is 
the law, and one cannot go against the law. Alas, 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


273 


Madame, I know what is troubling you very well ; but 
I see no chance whatever to protect you from the 
dangers that certainly threaten your property. In 
the eyes of the law, you remain a minor ; in short, you 
are in your husband’s power.” 

The young wife remained silent for a moment, 
then rising, she said : 

“I thank you. Excuse me for having troubled you 

unnecessarily.” 

“ Do not trouble yourself in the least about that ; I 
should have come under any circumstances. Here is a 
power of attorney which M. d’Aitignies brought to me, 
with the request that I would ask your signature. By 
this means, he proposes to draw six hundred thousand 
francs from the joint fund. What do you decide ? ” 

“ If I sign it, will you give me the money,” asked 
Louise. 

“ No ; I cannot pay it to any one without an order 
from him.” 

“ Then you can probably divine my response.” 

“ Without being remarkably discerning.” 

“ Well, I see that the law, too, is against me. Really, 
sir, it is horrible. Truly, a woman’s lot is hard in 
this world ; she seems doomed to a humiliating and 
constant state of dependence. She has no rights 
whatever. Her parents dispose of her to suit their 
liking ; hand her over to the first-comer, not unfre- 
quently, and if they should make a mistake or be 
deceived, she alone must bear the penalty. I repent of 
IT 


274 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


my severity towards such as have gone astray. I 
understand their feelings now, and can excuse them.” 

“ What do you mean, madame ? ” 

“ I mean that they are right to refuse to be slaves to 
the laws of propriety which every man around them 
breaks when it suits his caprice. Yes, they are right, 
for they can at least avenge themselves ! ” 

These words uttered in the frenzy of impotent rage, 
led Louise, when she was once more alone, into a pro- 
longed meditation. A ray of light seemed to have 
suddenly burst upon her vision. Vengeance! perhaps 
in that, lay her only chance of salvation. 

If it was impossible for her to obtain a separation 
from her husband, might she not perhaps compel him 
to sue for a divorce from her ? 

In that case, he would undoubtedly gain his suit ; 
he would apparently triumph over her, and it would 
be upon her, that public censure would fall. 

But what of that, if she attained her object, if she 
recovered her liberty, if the bond was broken, and 
there was nothing more in common between her and 
that infamous wretch ? 

Her family would disown her? Let them. She 
knew now what aid and consolation she had to expect 
from her parents. Society would close its doors 
against her? She cared little for that. Were her 
relatives and society of such value to her that she 
should condemn herself to remain in constant contact 
with that vile wretch? No, a thousand times no! 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


275 


Still, to compel her husband to demand a separation 
from her, she must be guilty of some glaring breach of 
propriety in morals or conduct. Would she have the 
necessary courage to overcome her repugnance to any- 
thing of this kind ? Godefroy was not sensitive as 
she was well aware. Would it be necessary to go to 
the last extreme in order to effect her purpose. 

But on reflection, she became reassured. With a 
few rare exceptions, husbands who seem to have ho 
shame themselves, are singularly exacting in regard to 
their wives’ conduct. This is due probably to their 
vanity, and to their remarkable sensitiveness on points 
of honor. In refined society, the man whose wife is 
talked about is not likely to hear any comments on the 
subject. In other circles, it is different: intoxication 
renders such attacks frequent and brutal; the first 
disreputable woman the husband offends, has a sneer 
ready; and if it is a witty one, the auditors never fail 
to applaud, and it is not long before the most philo- 
sophical husband is obliged to make a public protest. 
Louise knew this ; and as Godefroy in addition to his 
other pleasing qualities possessed the vanity of a pea- 
cock, she decided it would be a comparatively easy 
matter to bring about the result she desired. 


276 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


CHAPTER XXV. 

A HAZARDOUS SCHEME. 

OUISE was to attend the Opera the following 



1j Monday ; and if the Lambertyns came to Paris, 
they were to occupy seats in her box. 

Counting upon their presence, and aware that they 
were the most inveterate of gossips, the young wife, 
still smarting under wrongs for which she could dis- 
cover no redress, rlsolved to take advantage of this 
opportunity to strike a decisive blow which, thanks to 
them, would become the talk of all Paris, the next day. 

With this object in view, she wrote a hasty note to 
Octave Valastruc, requesting him to call at her house 
before the dinner-hour. 

About five o’clock, he presented himself. 

“What are you going to do this evening?” she 
inquired. 

“ Whatever you like.” 


“Very well. Have you your seat at the opera, 
still?” 


“ Yes. I renewed my subscription only yesterday.” 
“Very well; come and escort me from my box 
during the last act.” 

“ Escort you from your box f ” 

“Are you afraid?” 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


277 


“ You are jesting, probably.” 

“I was never more thoroughly in earnest. My 
curiosity demands satisfaction.” 

“ In what respect ? ” 

“ I am always hearing of the CafS Anglais , and I am 
anxious to go there.” 

“ Impossible.’ 1 ^ 

“ It is nevertheless possible that I beg you will take 
me there to supper after the opera.” 

The young man seemed far more surprised than 
delighted. In spite of his foibles, he was the possessor 
of plenty of good, sound sense, and he did not delude 
himself in regard to the feeling which prompted Louise 
to this escapade. He had not lost his sense of discern- 
ment, and in spite of his abundant stock of self-esteem, 
he did not imagine for an instant that the lady was in 
love with him. Naturally, his vanity was wounded; but 
we must do him the justice to say that a feeling of pro- 
found commiseration made him almost forget that fact. 
If Louise had said to him in an outburst of indigna- 
tion and friendly confidence ; “ I wish to make people 
believe that you are my lover,” he would not have 
hesitated for a moment. He pitied her deeply, and 
would have served her with pleasure, consoling himself 
for the apparent injury he did her, by the thought that 
he was furnishing her with the means of freeing her- 
self from that vile scoundrel d’Aitignies ; but if, 
instead of initiating him into the plot, she tried to 
make use of him by dazzling him with false hopes — 
then that was an entirely different matter ! 


278 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


“ My dear madame,” he began, with a tinge of sar- 
casm in his manner, “pray enlighten me in regard to 
the game you are playing. I like to see my way 
clearly ; and I am not so foolish as to take it into my 
head that you have become a victim to my charms.” 

“You are modest, then ? ” 

“ No ; I am distrustful.” 

“ With me ? ” 

“More distrustful with you than with any one else; 
and I do not suspect, but am certain that you contem- 
plate a scandal — ” 

“And what if I do?” retorted the young wife, 
nervously interrupting him. 

“ Confess as much and — we will see.” 

“Very well: I will admit whatever you like.” 

“ That is too much, or not enough.” 

“ Are you afraid of a duel, my dear sir ? ” 

“ It is unnecessary for me to answer that question. 
I have passed through several such ordeals unscathed. 
Do you desire to become a widow ? ” 

Louise shrugged her shoulders. 

“ Thanks,” she replied disdainfully. “ Black is not 
becoming to me.” 

Octave rose to go. 

“I thought you more honest and more courageous; ” 
he said, with something like regret. 

“ Ah well ! ” exclaimed Louise, burning her ships 
behind her, “ yes, it is true. I wish to ruin my reputa- 
tion so that my husband will ask for a separation and 
obtain it.” 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL'. 279 

“ This is exactly what I supposed,” rejoined the 
young man. 

“ Do you blame me ? ” 

“ Not at all ; but your husband will not be deceived, . 
and you will risk your reputation for nothing.” 

“ Are you going to read me a sermon ? ” 

“ I have finished. Still, listen one moment. Deeply 
as you wounded me just now by your attempt to make 
me unwittingly play a peculiar and unprofitable role, I 
am ready now to aid you in your scheme. I once told 
you that I loved you ; forget it. I shall never repeat 
the words, and you will incur no danger with me, what- 
ever may be the situation in which it may please you 
to place us. You are one of those women whose friend- 
ship is even a greater treasure than their love. I do 
not believe you will triumph in the struggle you are 
undertaking ; but this troubles me only on your 
account. I tell you with perfect sincerity, to rely 
upon my respect and my implicit obedience. I am at 
your service.” 

“I thank you,” replied Louise, offering him her 
hand. “ Come to my box for me this evening.” 

“ Certainly. Shall we take supper at the Cafe 
Anglais ? ” 

“Yes; and if the tete-h-tete does not prove unpleas- 
ant, and if there is nothing of importance to detain 
you in Paris, we will take the train for Marseilles 
to-morrow evening.” 

“ Together ? ” 


280 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


“ Openly. I wish to see the shores of the Mediter- 
ranean. Do you consent ? ” 

“ I should say so,” he replied in the argot of the 
coulisses. 

“ Then I shall expect to see you at eleven in my 
box at the opera. The Lambertyns will be with me. 
You will enter my coup6 in their presence.” 

During the second act of Faust, Louise entered her 
box. It was vacant. The Lambertyns must have 
remained in Enghien. This mischance annoyed her. 
She had counted upon their presence to divert her 
until the arrival of Valastruc, so she would have no 
more time for reflection. In spite of the firmness of 
her resolution, she felt the necessity of keeping herself 
in that state of excitement which had stimulated her 
courage up to this time. How much she wished that 
the first step in the path she had determined to pursue 
had been taken, so that it would no longer be possible 
for her to pause, or to even think of turning back ! 
What would she not have given to find herself already 
at the CafS Anglais ! 

In default of the Lambertyns, other persons of her 
acquaintance would be sure to see Octave leave the 
opera-house with her, and perhaps some one would 
meet her entering the restaurant on the young man’s 
' arm. 

Would that this were already done! that the news 
of her flight had already begun to be whispered among 
her friends ! In that case the timidity and regret that 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


281 


assailed her now, would vanish ; but the absence 
of her Enghien friends condemned her to solitude 
and hesitation. 

To divert her thoughts, she took a survey of the 
audience, seeking examples calculated to strengthen 
her in her resolution. How often ladies who openly 
braved public opinion by retaining near them men who 
were currently reported to be their lovers, had been 
pointed out to her ! She looked at two or three of the 
most deeply compromised, and their apparent com- 
posure reassured her a little. This, however, lasted 
only for a moment. In spite of her strength of will, 
she shuddered violently, and a wild desire to leave the 
box, to flee, to lock herself up in her own room seized 
her ; but gradually, she conquered this impulse, and 
she had partially regained composure when she heard 
the door of the box open. The Lambertyns, perhaps ? 
No; a gentleman whom the comparative darkness of 
the little salon prevented her from seeing distinctly. 
It was not her husband, for the new-comer was a much 
better proportioned man. It could not be Octave, for 
it was not yet ten o’clock; it was probably some 
acquaintance bringing her an ice. 

Suddenly, all her blood rushed to her heart ; she 
trembled in every limb, and it was with the utmost 
difficulty that she succeeded in keeping herself from 
swooning. The person who had just entered was 
Pierre. 

“You, you!” she exclaimed, making an almost 


282 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


superhuman effort to conceal her emotion. “I thought 
you had left France.” 

“ I have decided not to do so.” 

“Why?” 

“I have come to tell you. I, at first thought of 
writing to you, then I remembered you would probably 
be in your box this evening, so I came here to meet 
you.” 

He did not appear to be conscious of his companion’s 
agitation. 

“ To tell the truth,” he added, “ I had little expecta- 
tion of being able to explain here, as I thought it more 
than probable you would be surrounded ; but my com- 
ing would afford me an opportunity to inform you of 
the change in my plans, and to ask your permission to 
call at your house. There would be nothing to excite 
remark in such a visit.” 

As she listened, Louise became calmer, and an inex- 
plicable feeling of relief stole over her. When she 
first saw him lift the portiere he had much the effect 
of a spectre upon her ; she felt overcome with shame 
before him ; but now, he seemed to her a saviour, and 
she was seized with an irresistible longing to cling to 
his protecting arm, and to take refuge in his honor. 

“ My friend,” she said, “ you can not imagine the 
good your presence does me; you can not imagine how 
frightful is the precipice on whose verge you find me. 
Tell me the truth, Pierre. I suspect that if you have 
abandoned your journey it was on my account — ” 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


283 


“Yes; what you told me the other day appalled me; 
and thinking of you alone, without a guide or adviser, 
and surrounded by dangers that may well fill you with 
consternation, I asked myself if it was not my duty 
to lend you my assistance in this ordeal, and to aid you 
in bearing your burden until time shall bring you 
peace. Do you believe this, Louise ? ” 

Overcome with emotion, she could only hold out her 
hand to him. 

“ Understand me fully,” he added ; “It is not that I 
have any desire to intrude myself — ” 

“Who could suppose such a thing?” she inter- 
rupted vehemently. 

“ I merely have a proposal to make to you.” 

She closed her eyes, and was silent for fear of 
saying too much. 

“ People like ourselves should not be afraid to speak 
plainly,” he resumed, “ since we understand each other. 
There is one fact which must be frankly admitted, my 
friend. We love each other, do we not?” 

“Yes,” replied Louise gravely, “yes, I love you, 
Pierre, and that is the whole cause of my present 
misery, which I richly deserve for having been so weak 
as to be unable to rise above unjust prejudices.” 

“ That is a thing of the past,” he rejoined, “ and it is 
useless to refer to it. In addition to these prejudices, 
there were also between us barriers which many good 
people regard as insurmountable. Let us concede 
this without useless protestations, if only out of mutual 


284 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


respect. Still, there is another no less certain fact. I 
do not care enough for myself to be contented with 
the realization of my ambition. You can see this 
plainly, since the hope of serving you has led me to 
abandon projects in which you held no place. When 
the hour of departure came, my heart failed me. 
4 What will become of her ? ’ I said to myself. 4 She is 
undergoing a dangerous and painful ordeal ; injustice 
is maddening her. I must go to her aid. Perhaps the 
certainty of a disinterested devotion will prevent her 
from engaging in struggles in which her defeat is more 
than probable.’ And so I have come to say to you : 
4 My life and yours are alike ruined, Louise ; but let us 
strengthen and encourage each other to endure the 
trials of our lot nobly and courageously.’ I shall be 
more than satisfied if my influence can save you from 
any irreparable step, and if it can preserve you from 
the consequences of desperate resolutions. This is 
my only hope now. Louise, I wish you to be strong 
and noble, superior to adversity ; I wish you to be so 
pure and sublime that you will soar high above the 
trials that encompass you. By the appeal you made 
to heaven in my presence, I surmised all the disap- 
pointments that were awaiting you ; I fancied your 
family and society listening with weariness or indiffer- 
ence to the story of your wrongs; and I saw you 
crushed at first, then indignant, and ready to brave 
public opinion with the pride of innocence, and with 
the natural indignation of human nature. My 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


285 


fears were aroused, and I have hastened to you. With 
any other person, I should perhaps have hesitated, 
from a fear of being suspected of some ulterior motive ; 
with you, Louise, I felt that I was secure from any 
such suspicion. Intense as my love for you is, you 
know, do you not, that I would never permit myself to 
take advantage of your unhappiness to induce you to 
lower yourself in your own estimation, as well as in 
mine. No ; he who might have been your husband 
has no desire to become your lover. I offer myself to 
you, Louise, without any heroism, and without any 
pretensions, merely from the irresistible need of conse- 
crating to you all that is worthiest in me ; from a wish 
to ameliorate your wretchedness, and to show you that 
in spite of the demoralization and degradation of 
public morals, there are still souls sufficiently honor- 
able or sufficiently proud, to devote themselves to the 
consolation of a deeply tried and injured woman 
without stooping to covet her.’ , 

Louise listened, eagerly drinking in his words, and 
gazing at him with eyes that were rendered unusually 
large and brilliant by the joy that shone in them. 

“ All I have to say in reply can be summed up in 
these few words,” she said slowly. “ You have saved 
me, Pierre.” 

“ What do you mean by that ? ” 

“I dare not tell you just at this moment, I am so 
bitterly ashamed of my cowardice ; but since you 
love me, and I honor you, I defy adversity to ever 


286 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


prevent me from being unworthy of the sacrifice you 
are making.” 

Pierre rose to go, and she made no attempt to detain 
him. Eleven o’clock was fast approaching, and she 
did not wish him to meet Octave. 

“ Come and see me to-morrow,” she said. “ I have 
a long confession to make to you.” 

When he had left her, she withdrew to the tiny salon 
connected with her loge , to await Yalastruc there. 

“ Good-evening,” she said, when he made his appear- 
ance. “ Did you come for me ? ” 

“No,” replied Octave, with an unwonted reserve 
of manner that puzzled her. 

“ So much the better,” she replied gently, “ for I 
have changed my plans. But you — ” 

“ Then you have heard nothing?” 

“ In relation to what subject ? ” 

“Never mind. Go home and sleep peacefully; you 
will understand all by and by.” 

“ Fortunately, I am not inquisitive,” she answered, 
laughing. 

Octave accompanied her through the deserted corri- 
dors to the rotunda, where the footman was awaiting her 
coming. As her escort bade her good-night, she said : 

“You are better than I supposed.” 

“ If you think you are flattering me, my dear 
madame,” he replied, laughing in turn, “you are 
greatly mistaken.” Then, with something very like 
melancholy, he added : 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


287 


“ Yes, it is true; I am better than I appear; but I 
have no right to complain of the estimate people in 
general place upon my merits. The cause of it is a 
vanity to which I have sacrificed everything in my 
foolish attempt to gain an entrance into a society 
which seemed to me the very cream of the aristocracy 
when seen from a distance. I have since discovered 
my mistake; but it is too late to retrace my steps now 
and return to my own sphere in life. Like the jack- 
daw arrayed in peacock’s feathers, I now belong to 
neither. Mine is a wasted life, a failure.” 

Perceiving the footman, who had summoned the car- 
riage and was now approaching, he shook off his evi- 
dent despondency, and with a sudden change of tone, 
remarked : 

“ Your carriage is at the door. Farewell, and forgive 
me for having wearied you with my lamentations.” 

“You have not wearied me,” she replied, offering 
him her hand, “ and as I owe you an explanation, come 
for it whenever you like. Who knows? I shall 
perhaps make some revelations that will astonish you.” 

“ A little more,” thought the young man, “ and we 
should have found ourselves faoe to face with her 
husband. That would have been the climax.” 

Whereupon, turning up the collar of his overcoat, 
he hastened towards that same CafS Anglais where he 
had expected to enjoy a much pleasanter tete-a-tete 
than the conference to which he had been imperatively 
summoned. 


288 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


CHAPTER XXVI 


GRELLA S REVENGE 


EW in number as were the witnesses of the pun- 



X 1 ishment inflicted by the Countess d’Aitignies on 
Madame des Orniers, the news of it spread with 
characteristic rapidity; and by five o’clock it had 
reached the Stock Exchange, and was the prevailing 
topic of conversation at the clubs. As a natural con- 
sequence, it speedily reached the ears of Etienne 
Grella, the one person of all others who should have 
been kept in ignorance of the affair, if peace was to be 
preserved. 

He listened, however, without so much as a frown ; 
but to the great surprise of the narrator, he suddenly 
rushed off without evincing the slightest amusement, 
leaving his acquaintance standing there motionless 
with astonishment. 

He had for a long time suspected Josephine of 
unfaithfulness ; but was ever anything so atrocious 
as this ! After rescuing this woman from abject pov- 
ert}q and after benevolently aiding that scoundrel 
Godefroy in the rascally stratagem which had gained 
him a fortune, the two had ridiculed his credulity. 
Ah, that was too much ! He could not swallow such 
a pill as that. 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


289 


He recollected now sundry details which made his 
blood boil with rage. He remembered the cane which 
lie had taken by mistake from Madame des Orniers’ 
ante-chamber, on the night of Godefroy ’s farewell din- 
ner to his bachelor friends ; he remembered, too, the 
remarks, emphasized by meaning smiles, which had been 
made by Godefroy and Josephine, and whose signifi- 
cance he had not understood until now. He had shown 
them this cane, artlessly inquiring if they could tell 
him its owner, in order that he might return it. 

“You should carry it constantly,” was Josephine’s 
response. “ You can not fail to meet him.” 

14 That would be a pity,” replied Godefroy. 44 It 
has such an admirable effect in your hands.” 

Ah, that cane! it burned his fingers now; the 
thought of it pursued him like a nightmare. 

44 Why do 1 hesitate?” he exclaimed. “Shall I 
allow them to make merry at my expense any longer? 
To-morrow, I shall be the laughing-stock of the 
boulevard.” 

A fortunate idea suddenly occurred to him. 

44 So that cane belongs to him ! ” he said to himself. 
“Very well. I will return it.” 

Having arrived at this decision, he breathed a sigh 
of relief, and suddenly found himself so calm and 
tranquil that he even recollected he had not dined; 
so he went home, dressed himself, took the cane and 
wended his way to Bignon’s, where he did ample 
justice to the viands. 

18 


290 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


About ten o’clock he entered the club-house Gode- 
froy was in the habit of frequenting. The latter had 
not yet come in, but a gentleman with whom he had 
made an appointment was there, waiting for him. 

Grella seated himself at a table where a game of 
6 cart 6 was about to begin. 

“ What a handsome cane,” remarked the dealer of 
the cards. 

“ Do you think so ? It seems to always bring me 
bad luck, and as it belongs to d’Aitignies, I am seeking 
an opportunity to return it to him.” 

“ There he is now, just coming in,” replied the other. 

Godefroy had, in fact, just made his appearance. 
On seeing Grella, he gave him a familiar nod, and at 
once approaching the man who was waiting for him, 
he took him to a quiet corner where they could con- 
verse undisturbed. In the hope of finally effecting 
the arrangement in which he had thus far failed, on 
account of his wife’s refusal to give him her signature, 
he had been busily engaged in consultations with 
different parties in order to discover some means of 
acquiring possession of his wife’s fortune ; and the per- 
son with whom he was now in conference was one of 
those men of doubtful reputation who make it a busi- 
ness to devise means of evading the law by all sorts of 
safe expedients. 

It is reasonable to suppose that the person referred 
to found the task with which Count d’Aitignies 
desired to intrust him quite to his taste, for after a 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


291 


half hour’s conversation, the two gentlemen parted 
with a cordial handshake, and a : 

“ Then it is agreed ? ” 

“It shall be attended to to-morrow.” 

Godefroy escorted his legal adviser to the ante- 
chamber, then returned to the card-room, considerably 
elated. As he entered it, the dealer, who had already 
won four points, turned the king. 

“ You are certainly right, my dear fellow,” he 
remarked to Grella. “ D’Aitignies’ cane does bring 
you bad luck.” 

“ My cane ? What cane ? ” inquired Godefroy, who 
had approached the table. 

“Ah, yes, your cane,” replied Etienne, rising; “I 
no longer have any doubt that it is yours. It is 
useless to prolong the farce.” 

Godefroy, taken unawares, turned very pale, fore- 
seeing an unpleasant explanation ; Grella noticed it. 

“ You are as white as a sheet,” he said sneeringly. 
“I do not think it likely that you will continue to 
laugh at my credulity.” 

“ You must have been drinking, Grella,” retorted 
Godefroy, summoning all his audacity. “You had 
better return home, and go to bed ; and by and by, 
we can settle this little misunderstanding peaceably.” 

“ You are confounding dates, Godefroy. The even- 
ing I was last intoxicated was the time I, by mistake, 
took this cane from the house of the woman who has 
been supporting you on my money.” 


292 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


“ You are a liar ! ” yelled Godefroy. 

He had not completed the sentence when Grella 
struck him across the face with the famous cane which 
he still held in his hand. 

Their acquaintances interfered and separated them. 

Such were the facts to which Valastruc had mentally 
alluded, after placing Louise in her carriage at the 
door of the opera house. While waiting in his seat 
for the moment to go to her box, a member of the 
club had come to tell him that Godefroy wished him 
to act as his second, and consequently requested him 
to be at the CafS Anglais at midnight, in order to decide 
with Grella’s friends on the details of the encounter. 

When Octave reached the rendezvous, the confer- 
ence had already begun. Apparently, nothing could 
be simpler than this affair, since there was no possi- 
bility whatever of a reconciliation ; nor did there seem 
to be any chance for discussion. Godefroy being the 
insulted party, enjoyed the privilege of choosing the 
weapons, as well as the time and place of meeting. 

“Very well,” said Valastruc, “to-morrow, then, at 
six o’clock in the morning, at V^sinet. As to weapons, 
pistols at thirty-five paces.” 

“No,” said Grella’s principal second, resolutely. “We 
agree to the pistol, but the distance must be twenty- 
five paces only, and there must be as many shots as 
are necessary to disable one of the combatants.” 

“ Take care,” replied Octave. “ You are assuming a 
grave responsibility.” 


A CHILD OP ISRAEL. 


293 


“I am authorized to make this demand by my 
friend who does not desire to have the duel a farce.” 

Godefroy’s other second took offence at this remark, 
and was about to make a cutting retort, when Octave 
checked him by quietly saying: 

“ Nor has M. d’Aitignies any such desire ; but it 
seems to me that it behooves us to do all in our power 
to render the consequences of the affair as unmo- 
mentous as possible. So far as I am concerned, I 
willingly accept the consequences of a vindication of 
honor which I consider inevitable under the circum- 
stances ; but if the conditions of the duel lead to the 
death of either of the parties, I shall place the respon- 
sibility where it belongs.” 

“ What do you mean ? ” 

“I intend, in such a case, to publicly announce the 
fact that it was M. Grella’s friends who expressly 
imposed this condition.” 

He fancied this would frighten them, but he was 
mistaken. 

“ Here are our principal’s instructions,” said Grella’s 
second, handing Octave a paper. 44 You will find the 
demand clearly expressed there, and by inserting this 
in your report, you will be freed from any possible 
blame.” 

“This promises to be a most disagreeable affair,” 
thought Octave. 

“ Are you aware that we incur danger of imprison- 
ment ? ” he still persisted. 


294 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


“ Does that alarm you, gentlemen ? ” 

“ The fact, at least, furnishes food for reflection.” 

“ In that case, decide promptly. M. Grella is not at 
all inclined to end the affair with a dozen oj^sters.” 

Octave did not know what to retort, though he felt 
an intense desire to vent his ire on his antagonist. 

The discussion was a protracted one ; but it was 
finally decided that after three shots fired on each 
side, the seconds should declare honor satisfied, and 
should retire, taking the weapons with them, whether 
the combatants wished to continue the strife or not. 

Thoroughly reassured, Octave offered no further 
opposition, and at two o'clock the seconds separated, 
entirely agreed on all points, and Octave proceeded to 
the private room where Godefroy was to await the 
result of the conference. 

On reaching it, the waiter handed him a note. He 
opened it and read : 

“ 12.40 A. M. 

“ My Dear Octave : — Josephine has sent for me. 
Anxiety has made her ill. It is useless for me to 
remain here, and as soon as the conditions of the meet- 
ing are decided upon, be so kind as to inform me of 
them at the house of our friend whom I am going 
to reassure, if possible. Truly Yours, 

“ Godefroy.” 

The young man tore up the note, and springing 
into his coup6 ordered the coachman to drive to the 
residence of Madame des Orniers. 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


295 


CHAPTER XXVII. 

“FOR WHATSOEVER A MAN SOWETH 
THAT SHALL HE ALSO REAP.” 

BOUT one o’clock the next afternoon, Louise, 



_ir JL who had breakfasted alone, was making prepara- 
tions to go out when her maid opened the door and 
announced : 

“ Madame’s brother.” 

“ Charles ! ” exclaimed Louise on perceiving him, 
“ come in. How welcome you are ! ” 

She sprang into his arms and kissed him with 
unwonted fervor. 

He had just arrived from the railroad station, dusty 
and travel-stained, followed by a soldier bearing his 
portmanteau, and had come to claim her hospitality, 
as his father and mother were still at Bovilliers. He 
was also hungry, with the genuine hunger of an active 
young man. 

Louise gave her orders, and relinquished her room 
to him until another could be prepared. 

“ Make yourself at home,” said she. “ I breakfasted 
on nothing, all alone; now you have come, I will 
begin again.” 

While Captain Vaconsin — he had recently been pro- 
moted — was making his toilet, assisted by his orderly, 


296 


A CHILD OP ISRAEL. 


she went to the kitchen in person, to accelerate the 
movements of her servants. 

“Is your master at home?” she inquired. 

“No, madame.” 

“ Has he gone out already?” 

Her maid's silent embarrassment made her smile; 
hut without taking the servants into her confidence, 
she insisted : 

“Did not your master return last night?” 

“ No, madame.” 

“Make no allusion to the fact in my brother's 
presence,” the countess said, by way of conclusion. 

The improvised repast was a most enjoyable one. 
Both ate heartily; and delighted to find themselves 
again together, they talked freely, regardless of the 
servants who waited upon them. 

“Were you going out, Louise?” asked the captain, 
as he lighted his cigar after breakfast was over. 

“I was only going for a walk, so you need have 
no scruples about detaining me. I shall give up my 
excursion, and as you spent last night in the cars, I am 
going to abandon my room to you, so you can rest 
awhile.” 

“By no means. My bath and your claret have 
entirely restored me ; so let us take a walk together. 
It is so delightful to be in Paris again ! ” 

Louise needed no urging, and putting on, without 
even a glance at the mirror, the bonnet and mantle 
which her maid brought her, she took her brother’s 
arm to descend the staircase. 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


297 


Just as they stepped into the street, a carriage 
paused before the door, and Octave Valastruc sprang 
hastily out. He had the sallow complexion of a man 
who has not slept; his linen was soiled and rumpled, 
his boots were splashed with mud, and when he lifted 
his hat, Louise saw that his hair was dishevelled, and 
on one of his cuffs she noticed some tiny spots of blood. 

“ Madame,” he began with nervous volubility, “will 
you step inside, a moment, if you please. I have an 
important communication to make to 3 r ou.” 

“ On what subject?” inquired Louise, struck by the 
agitation visible in his face. 

“I can not tell you here, madame.” 

“ Let us go back,” said Charles, who apprehended 
some grave disclosure. 

Without another word, the three hastily crossed the 
court-yard, and entering the first apartment they came 
to, paused, all equally agitated. 

“Shall I withdraw?” inquired Charles. 

“Not at all! On the contrary,” replied Octave, “if 
madame will permit, it is to you, captain, that I will 
first explain what brings me here. But I am tired 
out,” he added, breathlessly. “ Permit me to take off 
my overcoat and rest a moment.” 

He removed the garment without waiting for per- 
mission, and Louise perceived that he was still wearing 
the same costume in which he had appeared in her box 
at the opera, the evening before, and that his shirt- 
front, cravat and coat were terribly rumpled. 


298 


A CHILD OP ISRAEL. 


“ If what you have to say relates to my husband,” 
said Louise quietly, “you can speak, sir. What has 
happened to him ? ” 

“ He had a quarrel last evening at the club, and this 
morning — ” 

“ He fought ? ” 

“ He fought, and contrary to all expectation, he was 
wounded.” 

“Severely? ” 

“ The ball entered the upper part of the arm, near 
the shoulder.” 

“ Did you bring him back with you f 

“ No ; the physician thought the journey might 
prove dangerous. I have hired for a month a small 
country house that was vacant, near the place of meet- 
ing. Godefroy is there, and while one of my friends 
went to summon your family physician, I hastened 
to you?” 

“Well?” 

“ Do you intend going there ? ” 

“Certainly: it is unquestionably my duty to nurse 
my husband. Let us start at once.” 

The captain, noticing an evident embarrassment and 
hesitation in the manner of the young man, supposed 
that Godefroy’s condition was more precarious than he 
dared to say. 

“ You can not travel in that costume,” he said to 
his sister. 

“ That is true,” replied Louise ; “ but wait for me ; 
it will take me only a moment to change my dress.” 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


299 


“Captain,” said Octave, quickly, as soon as the 
young wife had disappeared, 44 try to dissuade Madame 
d’Aitignies from going.” 

44 Why? Is her husband dead ? ” 

44 No ; but he has summoned some one who will 
probably arrive before she does.” 

44 Madame des Orniers ? ” 

44 Precisely.” 

44 You are right. We must, at least, warn Louise.” 

44 Will you do so ? ” 

“Certainly.” 

“In that case, captain, I will return home. I can 
not remain any longer in this costume.” 

The young men shook hands ; then Octave left the 
house, and Charles went up to his sister’s room. 

44 Louise,” he said, 44 1 want you to tell me your 
exact intentions.” 

44 1 have already told you ; to do my duty. What- 
ever may have been the cause of the accident that has 
befallen him, Count d’Aitignies is my husband. Were 
it only for humanity’s sake, I should give him all 
necessary care. Why do you appear so embarrassed ?” 

44 It is best to confess the truth,” replied the captain. 
“It is more than probable that Madame des Orniers 
is already there, and that you will find her by his 
bedside.” 

Louise manifested no emotion whatever. 

“But what will you do in that case?” insisted her 
brother. 


300 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


“Unless M. d’Aitignies sends me away, which is 
scarcely probable, I shall take the place she has 
usurped. It is my rightful place, and if she does 
not retire of her own accord, I shall request you to 
convince her of the necessity of doing so.” 

This proved unnecessary, however, for Josephine, 
warned by Valastruc, had departed when Louise 
reached the cottage to which her husband had been 
carried. On crossing the threshold of the chamber in 
which he was lying, she found four persons : the phy- 
sician of the place, assisted by their family physician 
who had brought an eminent surgeon with him, and 
the anxious face of Rthnondat. 

On the entrance of the young wife and her brother, 
the three doctors retired for consultation; but in about 
a quarter of an hour they returned, and prescribed a 
course of treatment which it was anything but easy 
to follow in an abode so destitute of all the necessary 
conveniences of life. 

Louise, leaving the bedside of the wounded man, 
listened to them attentively. 

“What is the situation?” she asked. 

“We can not determine at once,” replied the sur- 
geon. “ To-morrow I hope we shall be able to reply 
more definitely.” 

“ What is the worst danger that threatens him ? ” 

“ The worst, madame, will be the amputation of the 
wounded member.” 

Louise said no more ; her mind was made up. Very 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


301 


calmly she gave the necessary orders for a protracted 
sojourn, and that same evening her servants brought 
linen, silver, cooking utensils — all that was needed. A 
camp-bed was placed in the sick man’s room, and 
Louise announced her intention of nursing him, an 
unpleasant task even when the watcher's devotion is 
stimulated by love or friendship ; and in this case, 
there were terrible paroxysms of pain which she 
soothed and alleviated without faltering a moment. 

The surgical operation was successfully performed, 
and then, nothing remained but to await the result. 
The young wife spared no effort, and remained con- 
stantly by his bedside, sleeping only at rare intervals 
and then, without removing her clothing, attentive to 
his slightest want, displaying an unfailing patience 
and cheerfulness, and finding kind and encouraging 
words to revive the drooping spirits of the patient. 

“A truly admirable woman ! ” said Abb6 R^mondat. 

He had rented a room near by, but did not succeed 
in persuading Louise to allow him to take her place as 
nurse even for a single night. 

The Baron and Baroness Vaconsin de Bovilliers, 
who had hastily returned to Paris on hearing of the 
event, came every day, and went into ecstacies over 
their daughter's conduct; while in Parisian drawing- 
rooms, Madame d’Aitignies was cited as a model. 

One night, after a feverish sleep that had lasted 
nearly two hours, Godefroy gradually awoke. He 
glanced indifferently around the room, dimly lighted 


302 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


by the night-lamp and by the flames of a little wood 
fire that was burning on the hearth. At first, he had 
but a vague idea of the place in which he found him- 
self and of the circumstances which had brought him 
there. Diverted by the dance of the shadows on the 
curtains and walls of the room, he experienced a vague 
sensation of comfort for which he had not even the 
curiosity to mentally account. Soon, however, a 
consciousness of the reality returned on perceiving 
Louise, who was dozing in an arm-chair near the fire. 
Then, he remembered his duel, the wound he had 
received, and the constant attention she had lavished 
upon him. A sort of compassion for her seized him. 
In spite of the depravity of his nature, he could not 
stifle a feeling of remorse, and likewise of astonish- 
ment. Here was a poor girl who knew only too well, 
alas ! that she had been married for the sake of her 
money, that she had been deceived and legally swin- 
dled, that she had not been appreciated or even 
respected by her husband, and that he had fought, too, 
for the sake of a disreputable woman, but who never- 
theless was here, wearing herself out in nursing him, 
overcoming without apparent effort, not only her 
natural indignation, but the feeling of repulsion that 
must be awakened by her anything but agreeable task, 
and evincing not only a remarkable sweetness and 
cheerfulness of disposition, but an indefatigable zeal in 
his service. And why ? 

He pondered over this question a long time without 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


303 


being able to find a satisfactory explanation, not 
daring, adventurous as he was, to attribute his wife’s 
conduct to love. No; he admitted that was improbable, 
for he had spared her no mortification, and yet — 
women are such strange creatures ! who could say 
that the very disdain with which he had treated her 
had not produced this effect without her knowledge ? 

Touched by this supposition, he contemplated Louise 
in silence/ discovering in her charms heretofore un- 
known. Take her all in all, she was certainly superior 
to any lady of his acquaintance. Her careless attitude, 
in the light sleep into which she had fallen, displayed 
to great advantage the charms of her youthful loveli- 
ness. What an elegance there was in the contour of 
her form ! w r hat a freshness and purity of tint in the 
soft white skin ! 

He pictured himself even after his recovery, crip- 
pled, deprived of one arm, and dependent upon others 
for constant and necessary attentions. Who would be 
a slave to him, then, who would consent to assume this 
state of virtual servitude except a woman endowed 
with such virtue as to successfully undergo an ordeal 
like that through which Louise had just passed ? Ah, 
virtue ! an unknown and despised word heretofore ; 
but now full of promises of self-sacrifice and touching 
submission. 

And how pretty she looked, quietly sleeping there 
in the cosy, dimly lighted chamber, her bosom rising 
and falling slightly with each regular respiration! 


304 


A CHILD OF I S It A E L . 


What a charm there was in the delicate and refined 
loveliness that characterized her whole person? A 
strange joy filled his heart at the thought that this 
woman was his — his wife, bound to him by ties which 
no human power could sever. 

He felt tempted to awaken her, to confess his faults, 
a*k her forgiveness, and pledge her henceforth a 
repentant fidelity. 

How could he ever have been so blind as to think 
her commonplace, and tame? Louise, commonplace? 
Ah, no ! He recollected the scene that had occurred 
on the evening of his return from Havre, after which, 
in spite of her indignant protests and warnings, he had 
foolishly embarked in the undertaking which had 
brought him to a bed of suffering. How regally she 
had borne herself then ! 

Fool ! that was the time he should have fallen at 
her feet and exclaimed : “1 repent. Put me to the 

test. I will do whatever you desire ! ” 

Any one else would have asked if it was not too late 
now for her to forgive him, for her to consent to once 
more regard him as a husband. Not so with him ; the 
superiority which he had been so slow to recognize, 
satisfied him on that point. By reason of her princi- 
ples, her education, and the religious sentiments, of 
which he knew her to be the possessor, Louise could 
not fail to stand the test. Did she not give proofs of 
that by devoting herself to him as she was doing at 
that very moment ? 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


305 


This tardily recognized superiority of character on 
the part of his wife, made him sanguine of a final 
reconciliation; so counting upon that, he promised 
himself to change his habits. Without perceiving the 
rather comical side of his supremely egotistical conver- 
sion, he marked out a very pleasant future. He would 
spend more time at home ; they could not fail to be 
very happy — a model couple, in short; and thus 
dreaming, he fell asleep. 

The next morning the physician found the patient’s 
head hot, his gaze wandering and his breathing irreg- 
ular. He returned again at noon, something he had 
not done for several days. That evening, he could not 
conceal his anxiety, and calling the canon into the 
adjoining room, he said : 

“ I apprehend complications.” 

“ Of a serious character ? ” inquired the abb6, with a 
terrible sinking of heart. 

“Very serious. The wound looks badly, and I fear 
the inflammation has extended to depths which it is 
impossible to reach, and that the consequence will be a 
fever which may terminate fatally.” 

R^mondat could not restrain his tears. 

“ Sir,” said the doctor in surprise, “ you are a man 
and a priest, a two-fold reason why you should be firm 
and courageous. It is my duty to warn you ; it 
is yours to protect from any sudden shock this 
young wife who shows such great devotion to 
her husband.” 

19 


306 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


Godefroy slept until midnight ; then he uttered a 
slight cry, followed by a peal of nervous laughter. 
Louise approached the bedside. Her husband opened 
his eyes, but he did not recognize her, but addressing 
her as Josephine, poured forth a volley of the coarsest 
abuse and invectives. Delirium had seized him. 

Louise sent for the doctor, who came immediately, 
accompanied by R^mondat. The last resource con- 
sisted in an operation which only a surgeon could 
perform, so they were forced to wait until the morrow. 

On listening to the ravings of the sick man, the abb6 
lost the last vestige of composure. Sobs choked his 
utterance ; he was no longer a man and a priest, he 
was only a father who wrung his hands, praying 
earnestly one moment and uttering imprecations 
against fate the next; and they were finally obliged 
to expel him forcibly from the sick room. 

Louise was astonished. What ! could it be that 
this priest, whom she, in common with the other 
members of her church, had regarded as a saint, 
imbued with the power of the Holy Spirit, was capable 
of such a display of weakness ? 

Where was the man of faith, the apostle? Where 
was the creature so far above the sorrows of this vale 
of tears, so superior to the trials of this brief sojourn 
here below? Why these despairing sobs, this frantic 
and apparently hopeless grief? 

“Calm yourself,” expostulated the doctor, “and 
think of the sick man’s salvation.” 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


307 


“ His salvation ? ” faltered the dignitary of the 
church, in abject consternation. “Then is there no 
longer any hope ? ” 

“ One can never tell. Still, if you wish him to 
receive the last sacrament of the church — ” 

Remondat’s grief-distorted features assumed an ex- 
pression of indignant anger. 

“ What ! ” he exclaimed passionately, forgetful of 
his priestly office, “ you would force him to receive the 
sacrament? You would have the cruelty to watch for 
a lucid moment in which to say to the unhappy young 
man, in the name of a far-off and incomprehensible 
divinity: ‘There is no longer any hope. All is over 
for you ; you must die.’ Anxiety for his soul, do you 
say ? Who knows that it survives the decomposition 
of the organic elements which form the tenement of 
clay that contains it? Why torment him, while he 
may still cherish illusions in regard to the duration of 
his life ? There is a God, or there is not. If there is, 
of what importance are formalities of human invention 
in his infinite mercy ? And if there is not — ” 

He did not finish his sentence, having already 
become weary of this fruitless discussion. What was 
the use of wasting time in theological speculation, 
when a surgeon’s knife was of more avail than all the 
sacraments imaginable? And without paying any 
heed to the mute astonishment of Louise, he rang and 
ordered horses to be harnessed at once, as he himself 
proposed to go for the surgeon. 


308 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


In the carriage that bore him swiftly towards Paris, 
he indulged now, in despairing lamentations, now, in 
fits of frantic anger. Were the physicians, too, impos- 
tors and charlatans ? Which of them possessed suf- 
ficient skill to save the unfortunate man ? He thought 
of assembling the entire Faculty, and of offering 
his whole fortune to the one who would, by a bold 
operation, restore the being he loved to health. 

At daybreak R^mondat returned to the cottage at 
Yesinet, accompanied by the same surgeon who had 
amputated Godefroy’s arm. As he sprang hastily from 
the vehicle, he saw Louise hurrying forward to meet 
him. 

“Do not go in,” she said, in a tone of profound 
commiseration. 

“ My God ! ” shrieked the abb6, “ is it too late ? ” 

“ Too late.” 

“ Is he dead? ” 

“Dead.” • 

The canon turned livid, and forcing his way by her, 
he tottered into the ante-chamber; but there, his 
strength failed him, and falling to the floor with his 
face in the dust, he uttered the heart-rending cry: 

“ My child I oh, my child ! ” 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


309 


CHAPTER XXVIII. 

UNITED AT LAST! 

W HEN the news that the widow of Count 
d’Aitignies intended to marry Pierre Wavre 
reached Bovilliers, there was consternation unuttera- 
ble : and the baron and baroness, who had been so 
little affected by their daughter’s despair, now indulged 
in the most frantic outbursts of grief. As their 
daughter was not near at hand, and they were conse- 
quently unable to vent their ill- humor on her, they 
mutually reproached each other for the disgrace that 
was about to befall them. 

Some pretty hard words were exchanged during 
their conversation, and the gentleman parting from 
the partner of his bosom with an energetic oath, went 
up to his cabinet, dipped his pen in his blackest ink 
and wrote: 

“ It is not admissible for a moment, my daughter, 
that you should marry a Jew, however honorable and 
illustrious he may be. As for me, I here make my 
solemn and formal protest against such an act on 
your part. 

“ You are, it is true, in a position to dispense with 
your parents’ consent, though I warn you that we 
shall publicly disown you if you persist in your 


310 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


determination. I make this statement only out of 
charity to you, in order to prevent you from making 
any allusion to your rights, in case a forgetfulness of 
the proprieties should suggest such an idea to you. At 
all events, you must understand that such a union will 
be equivalent, on your part, to a rupture of all connec- 
tion and association with your family. It is, there- 
fore, for you to decide what share of affection your 
fancy for Monsieur Wavre permits you to still 
entertain for us.” 

Taking this for his starting point, the former fre- 
quenter of the Tuileries proceeded to enumerate the 
considerations that should prevent the lady from carry- 
ing her plan into execution. These considerations 
were of every sort and kind, and not a few of them 
were very singular on the part of a man with whom 
they had so little weight when his personal gratifi- 
cation was concerned. 

“Ah, Louise,” he continued, “ah, my child, I once 
more conjure you to reflect. Remember who you are, 
the education you have received, our connections and 
our alliances. Think, above all, of your mother, a 
Belencour, whom you will overwhelm with despair, 
and whom you will seem to brave and insult, by thus 
acting in defiance of her most cherished beliefs. Ask 
yourself, Louise, if it is fair, if you have any right to 
inflict such a humiliation upon her, upon the mother 
who has so carefully reared you and who has neither 
spared the best of counsels nor the best of examples 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


311 


in your training. Think too, of me, and my honored 
position in the exclusive circles to which I belong. 
Will you compel me to blush for you; will you compel 
me to disown you as unworthy of my affection and of 
my name? 

“Do you know what people will say?” continued 
the fastidious baron. “ They will say that such an 
incongruous union can be only the result of an inti- 
macy that existed prior to your widowhood. And what 
can we reply? How can vve be certain, since in spite 
of our affection for you, a person of your rank, the 
daughter of a Vaconsin de Bovilliers, and the widow 
of Count d’Aitignies, deliberately forms the project of 
marrying a Jew! 

“Such a thing is not to be thought of. If yon have 
no respect for your parents, or the name they have 
transmitted to you, if you have no respect for your- 
self, at least show some deference to public opinion. 
Does it become you, tell me, to wound your equals 
by your contempt for religious laws? How dare you 
face the disapproval such an event can not fail to 
arouse ? 

“ Have you thought of another and very important 
thing? Admitting that the protests of your relatives, 
and their absence on the day of your nuptials have no 
weight with you, who, I ask, will consecrate your 
union ? To what church will you go to ask the sanc- 
tion of Heaven? As you are well aware, the ministers 
of the true church will refuse it. Will you have the 


312 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


culpable courage to renounce your faith and accept the 
heretical belief of your lover? But little is evidently 
needed to convert you to Judaism. Such a change 
would be only logical, and our disgrace would be 
complete.” 

Louise read her father’s lengthy epistle very calmly, 
and when Pierre called on her that afternoon, she 
handed him the letter. 

“What do you think of it?” she inquired when he 
had finished reading it. 

“What do you think of it, Louise ? ” 

“ One point only strikes me ; which is that the 
priests of your religion and of mine will alike refuse 
to solemnize our nuptials.” 

“ Pardon me,” replied the young man, “ though the 
rabbis of my Church would, in fact, refuse to unite us, 
the Catholic priests are more obliging ; and on con- 
sideration of a handsome fee they will consent to 
perform the marriage ceremony on condition that I do 
not cross the threshold of the sanctuary.” 

Louise could not help smiling ; Pierre also smiled. 

“ Are you and I,” he asked gently, “ the persons to 
see in these expedients anything but a subterfuge? 
Are either of us capable of feigning sentiments that 
we do not possess ; in other words, of playing a 
comedy out of an excess of condescension?” 

“ Certainly not.” 

“In that case, only one point remains : a show of 
deference to the feelings of your family.” 


A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 


313 


“But how?” 

“ Distance softens the effect of acts that one disap- 
proves, and time consecrates them. Will you consent 
to leave this country ? ” 

“ Gladly. Such has long been my secret wish, so 
intensely do I desire to escape from a society whose 
laws are equally revolting to my good sense and 
my conscience. My parents would not be horrified at 
any secret misconduct on my part, but would blush to 
see me marry a Jew ; public opinion would openly 
censure me ; the priest who would absolve me for any 
breach of wifely fidelity, would not consent to pro- 
nounce the divine benediction upon our union. All 
this is absurd. It is too evident that God cannot 
approve of such distinctions. Let us depart, my 
dearest, and seek liberty in more indulgent and wiser 
lands, where virtue is a reality, unrestricted by absurd 
dogmas which hypocrisy alone has the power to evade. 
Let us celebrate our nuptials in a land where it suffices 
to be good to deserve respect, without being obliged to 
give an account of one’s faith. There, we can find a 
magistrate who will marry us as indissolubly as if the 
virtuosos of the opera sang to the accompaniment of 
the organ, in the presence of all the assembled Yacon- 
sins and Belencours. On the day of our marriage, 
after its legal consecration, we will go, you to your 
synagogue, I to the chapel, and there repeat our 
prayers in the words that have been taught us. The 
rest matters little. The essential thing, Pierre, is 


314 A CHILD OF ISRAEL. 

a determination to do right, to be faithful to one’s 
duty, and accomplish one’s task in life honorably and 
creditably. After a time, we will return to France, 
without troubling ourselves about the approbation of 
mere acquaintances. I am sure of my brother’s ap- 
proval and support; besides, in the society which I 
shall enter with you, the artistic circles which consti- 
tute the true aristocracy of the time, tolerance is a 
principle. No one there will ask us if our religious 
beliefs are identical ; and provided I am a faithful and 
loving wife, your talent cannot fail to win me an 
enviable position there. I desire nothing further, 
Pierre, my attachment to you is my greatest joy, and 
I shall deem it an honor if there is ever any sacrifice I 
can make for your sake.” 

A few weeks afterward, the friends of Pierre and 
Louise, received, under cover of an envelope, a card, 
by which, in accordance with American custom, they 
were apprised of the marriage in the following terms : 

Pierre Wavre 
and 

Louise Vaconsin , ( Countess , Widow d' Aitignies')* 
Married . 

New York , 187 — . 


THE END. 



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Helene, a Love Episode; or, Une Page D’ Amour. By Emile Zola, 
Price 75 cents in paper cover, or $1.25 in morocco cloth, black and gold. 
The Rougon-Macquart Family ; or, Miette. (La Fortune Bes Bougon .) 

By Emile Zola. Price 75 cents in paper cover, or $1.25 in cloth. 

The Markets of Paris ; or, Le Ventre de Paris. By Emile Zola. Price 
75 cents in paper cover, or $1.25 in morocco cloth, black and gold. 

The Conquest of Plassans ; or, La Conquete de Plassana. By Emile Zola . 
Price 75 cents in paper cover, or $1.25 in cloth, black and gold. 

SEQUEL TO “N ANA.” KAMA’S DAUGHTER. 

Nana’s Daughter. A Continuation of and Sequel to Emile Zola’s Great 
Realistic Novel of “ Nana.” Price 75 cents in paper, or $1.00 in cloth. 

HENRY GR^VILLE’S PATHETIC NOVELS. 

Xeuie’s Inheritance. A Tale of Russian Life. By Henry Griville. 
Saveli’s Expiation. A Powerful Novel. By Henry Griville. 

Dournof. A Russian Story. By Henry Griville, author of “ Dosia.” 
Lucie Rodey. A Charming Society Novel. By Henry Griville. 
Bonne-Marie. A Tale of Normandy and Paris. By Henry Griville. 

A Friend ; or, “ L’Ami.” By Henry Griville, author of “ Dosia.” 

Sonia. A Love Story. By Henry Griville, author of “Dosia.” 
Gabrielle; or, The House of Maurlze. By Henry Griville. 

Above are in paper cover, price 50 cents each, or in cloth, at $1.00 each. 
Dosia. A Russian Story. By Henry Griville, author of “ Markof.” 

The Trials of Raissa. By Henry Greville, author of “ Dosia.” 

The Prinoess Ogherof. A Love Story. By Henry Greville. 

Philomlne’s Marriages. A Love Story. By Henry Griville. 

Pretty Little Countess Zina. By Henry Griville, author of “Do*ia.” 
Marrying Off a Daughter. A Love Story. By Henry Griville. 

Above are in paper cover, price 75 cents each, or in cloth, at $1.25 each. 
Markof, the Russian Violinist. A Russian Story. By Henry Griville. 
One large volume, 12mo., cloth, price $1.60, or paper cover, 75 cents. 

Above Books will be sent, postage paid, on receipt of Retail Price? 
by T. B. Peterson & Brothers, Philadelphia, Pa. tA) 


T. B. PETERSON m BROTHERS’ PUBLICATIONS. 

Orders solicited from Booksellers, librarians, Canvassers, News 
Agents, and all others in want of good and fast-selling 
books, which will be supplied at very Low Prices. «Jg$| 


MRS E. D. E. H. SOUTH W ORTH’ § FAMOUS WORKS. 

Complete in forty-three large duodecimo volumes, bound in morocco cloth , gilt back, 
price $1.75 each; or $75.25 a set, each set is put up in a neat box. 

Ishmael; or, In the Depths, being 
Self Raised ; or, From the Depths. 


The Fatal Secret, 1 

How II c Won H er, 1 

Fair Play, 1 

The Spectre Lover, 1 


The Artist’s Love 1 

A Noble Lord, 1 

Lost Heir of Linlithgow, 1 

Tried for her Life, 1 


The Family Doom, 1 

The Bride’s Fate, 1 

The Changed Brides, 1 75 

Fallen Pride, 1 75 

The Widow’s Son,.. 1 75 

The Bride of Llewellyn, 1 75 

The Fatal Marriage, 1 75 


Self-Made; or, Out of Depths.... 

$1 

7» 

Sequel to “ Ishmael.” 

1 

75 

75 

The Deserted Wife, 

1 

75 

75 

The Fortune Seeker, 

1 

75 

75 

The Bridal Eve 

1 

75 

75 

The Lost Heiress, 

. 1 

75 

75 

The Two Sisters...... 

1 

75 

75 

Lady of the Isle, 

1 

75 

75 

Prince of Darkness, 

1 

75 

75 

The Three Beauties, 

1 

75 

75 

Vi via ; or the Secret of Power 

1 

75 

75 

Love’s Labor Won, 

1 

75 

75 

The Gipsy’s Prophecy, 

1 

75 

75 

Retribution 

1 

75 

75 

The Christmas Guest, 

1 

75 

75 

Haunted Homestead,.. 

1 

75 

75 

Wife’s Victory, 

1 

75 


Allworth Abbey, 1 75 

India ; Pearl of Pearl River,.. 1 75 

Curse of Clifton, 1 75 

Discarded Daughter 1 75 

The Mystery of Dark Hollow,.. 1 75 

75 


The Missing Bride; or, Miriam, the Avenger, 1 

The Puantom Wedding; or, The Fall of the House of Flint, 1 75 

Above are each in cloth, or each one is in paper cover, at $1.50 each. 
Self-Made; or. Out of the Depths. By Mrs. Emma D. E. N. Southwurth. 
Complete in two volumes, cloth, price $1.75 each, or $3.50 a set. 

MRS. CAROLINE LEE HENTZ’S WORKS. 

Complete in twelve large duodecimo volumes, bound in morocco cloth, gilt bach 
price $1.75 each; or $21.00 a set, each set is put up in a neat box. 


Ernest Linwood,.... $1 75 

The Planter’s Northern Bride... 1 75 

Courtship and Marriage 1 75 

Rena; or, the Snow Bird, 1 75 

Marcus Warland I 75 


Love after Marriage $1 75 

Eoline; or Magnolia Vale, 1 75 

The Lost Daughter, 1 75 

The Banished Son, 1 75 

Helen and Arthur, 1 75 


Linda; or, the Young Pilot of the Belle Creole,..., 1 75 

Robert Graham; the Sequel to “ Linda ; or Pilot of Belle Creole,”... 1 75 
Above are each in cloth, or each one is in paper eover, at $1.50 each. 


Above Books will be sent, postage paid, on receipt of Retail Price, 
by T. B. Peterson & Brothers, Philadelphia, Pa. (1) 


2 T. B. PETERSON & BROTHERS’ PUBLICATIONS. 


MRS. ANN S. STEPHENS’ WORKS. 

Complete in twenty-three large duodecimo volumes , bound in morocco cloth , gilt back, 
price $1 .75 each ; or $40.25 a set, each set is put up in a neat box. 

The Soldiers’ Orphans, $1 75 

A Noble Woman, 1 75 

Silent Struggles, 1 75 

The Rejected Wife, 1 75 

The Wife’s Secret, 1 75 

Mary Derwent, 1 75 

Fashion and Famine, 1 75 

The Curse of Gold, 1 75 

Mabel’s Mistake, 1 75 

The Old Homestead, 1 75 


Norston’s Rest, $1 75 

Bertha’s Engagement, 1 75 

Bellehood and Bondage, 1 75 

The Old Countess, 1 75 

Lord Hope’s Choice, 1 75 

The Reigning Belle, 1 75 

Palaces and Prisons, 1 75 

Married in Haste, 1 75 

W ives and Widows, 1 75 

Ruby Gray’s Strategy, 1 75 


Doubly False, 1 75 | The Heiress, 1 75 | The Gold Brick,... 1 75 

Above are each in cloth, or each one is in paper cover, at $1.50 each. 


MISS ELIZA A. DUPUY’S WORKS. 


Complete, in fourteen large duodecimo volumes, bound in morocco cloth, gilt back , price 
$1.75 each ; or $24.50 a set , each set is put up in a neat box. 


A New Way to Win a Fortune $1 75 

Why Did He Marry Her?... 

...$1 

75 

The Discarded Wife, 

The Clandestine Marriage,.... 

.. 1 75 

Who Shall be Victor? 

... 1 

75 

.. 1 75 

The Mysterious Guest, 

... 1 

75 

The Hidden Sin, 


Was He Guilty ? 

... 1 

75 

The Dethroned Heiress, 

.. 1 75 

The Cancelled Will, 

The Planter’s Daughter, 

... 1 

75 

The Gipsy’s Warning 

.. 1 75 

... 1 

75 

All For Love, 

. 1 75 

Michael Rudolph, 

... 1 

75 


Above are each in cloth, or each one ig in paper cover, at $1.50 each. 

LIST OF THE BEST COOK BOOKS PUBLISHED. 


Every housekeeper should possess at least one of the following Cook Books, as they 
would save the price of it in a week's cooking. 

Miss Leslie’s Cook Book, a Complete Manual to Domestic Cookery 


in all its Branches. Paper cover, $1.00, or bound in cloth, $1 50 

The Queen of the Kitchen; or, The Southern Cook Book. Con- 
taining 1007 Old Southern Family Receipts for Cooking, ...Cloth, 1 75 

Mrs. Hale’s New Cook Book, Cloth, 1 75 

Petersons’ New Cook Book, Cloth, 1 75 

Widdifield’s New Cook Book, Cloth, 1 75 

M rs. Goodfellow’s Cookery as it Should Be, Cloth, 1 75 

The National Cook Book. By a Practical Housewife, Cloth, 1 75 

The Young Wife’s Cook Book, Cloth, 1 75 

Miss Leslie’s New Receipts for Cooking, Cloth, .1 75 

M rs. Hale’s Receipts for the Million, Cloth, 1 75 


The Family Save-All. By author of “ National Cook Book,” Cloth, 1 75 
Francatelli’s Modern Cook Book. With the most approved methods 
of French, English, German, and Italian Cookery. With Sixty- 
two Illustrations. One vol., 600 pages, bound in morocco cloth, 5 00 


%CT Above Books will be sent, postage paid, on receipt of Retail Price* 
by T. B. Peterson & Brothers, Philadelphia, Pa. 


T. B. PETERSON & BROTHERS’ PUBLICATIONS. 3 


MRS. C. A. WARFIELD’S WORKS. 


Complete in nine large duodecimo volumes, bound in morocco cloth, gilt back , price 
81.75 each ; or $15.75 a set, each set is put up in a neat box. 

The Cardinal’s Daughter, $1 75, Miriam’s Memoirs, $1 75 

Ferne Fleming, 1 75 Monfort Hall, 1 75 

The Household of Bouverie,.... 1 75 Sea and Shore, 1 75 

A Double Wedding, 1 75 Hester Howard’s Temptation,... 1 75 

Lady Ernestine; or, The Absent Lord of Rocheforte, 1 75 


FREDRIKA BREMER’S DOMESTIC NOVELS. 

Complete in six large duodecimo volumes, bound in cloth, gilt back, price $1.75 each ; 
or $10.50 a set, each set is put up in a neat box. 

Father and Daughter, $1 75 | The Neighbors, $1 75 

The Four Sisters, 1 75 I The Home, 1 75 

Above are each in cloth, or each one is in paper cover, at $1.50 each. 
Life in the Old World. In two volumes, cioth, price, 3 50 


a. K. PHILANDER DOESTICKS’ WORKS. 

Complete in four large duodecimo volumes, bound, in cloth, gilt back, price $1.75 
each ; or $7.00 a set, each set is put up in a neat box. 

Doesticks’ Letters, $1 75 I The Elephant Club, $1 75 

Plu-Ri-Bus-Tah 1 75 | Witches of New York, 1 75 

Above are each in cloth, or' each one is in ,;.iper cover, at $1.50 each. 


JAMES A. MAITLAND’S WORKS. 

Complete in seven large duodecimo volumes, bound in cloth . , gilt back, price $1.75 
each ; or $12.25 a set, each set is put up in a neat box. 


The Watchman, $1 75 

The Wanderer, I 75 

The Lawyer’s Story, 1 75 


Diary of an Old Doctor, $1 75 

Sartaroe,.. 1 75 

The Three Cousins 1 75 


The Old Patroon ; or the Great Van Broek Property, 1 75 

Above are each in cloth, or each one is in paper cover, at $1.50 each. 


T. ADOLPHUS TROLLOPE’S NOVELS. 

Complete in seven large duodecimo volumes, bound in cloth, gilt back, price $1.75 
each; or $12.25 a set, each set is put up in a neat box. 

The Sealed Packet, $1 75 ! Dream Numbers $1 75 

Garstang Grange, 1 75 I Beppo, the Conscript, 1 75 

Leonora Casaloni,... 1 75 | Gemma, 1 75 | Marietta, 1 75 

Above are each in cloth, or each one is in paper cover, at $1.50 each. 

FRANK FORESTER’S SPORTING SCENES. 

Frank Forester’s Sporting Scenes and Characters. By Henry William 
Herbert. A New, Revised, and Enlarged Edition, with a Life of the 
Author, a New Introductory Chapter, Frank Forester’s Portrait and 
Autograph, with a full length picture of him in his shooting costume, 
and seventeen other illustrations, from original designs by Darley and 
Frank Forester. Two vols., mo'occo cloth, bevelled boards, $4.00. 


IgggT Above Books will be sent, postage paid, on receipt of Retail Price, 
by T. B. Peterson & Brothers, Philadelphia, Pa. 


4 T. B. PETERSON & BBOTHERS’ PUBLICATIONS. 


WILKIE COLLINS’ BEST WORKS. 

Basil; or, The Crossed Path..$l 50 | The Dead Secret. 12ino $1 50 

Above are each in one large duodecimo volume, bound in cloih. 

The Dead Secret, 8vo 75 The Queen’s Revenge, #75 

Basil; or, the Crossed Path, 75 Miss or Mrs? 50 

Hide and Seek, 75 j Mad Moiikt.oti, 50 

After Dark, 75 ! Sights a-Poot, 50 

The Stolen Mask, 25 j The Yellow Mask,... 2o | Sister Rose,... 25 

The above books are each issued in paper cover, in octavo form. 


EMERSON BENNETT’S INDIAN STORIES. 

Complete in seven large duodecimo volumes , bound in cloih, gilt back , price $ 1.76 
each ; or $ 12.25 a set, each set is put up in a neat box. 

The Border Rover $1 75 Bride of the Wilderness, $1 75 

Clara Moreland 1 75 Ellen N or bury, I 75 

The Orphan's Trials, 1 75 Kate Clarendon, 1 75 

Vioia ; or Adventures in the Far South-West, 1 75 

Above are each in doth, or each one is in paper cover, at $1.50 each. 

The Heiress of Beljefonce, 75 | The Pioneer’s Daughter, 75 


GREEN’S WORKS ON GAMBLING. 

Complete in jour large duodecimo volumes, bound in cloth, gilt back , price $ 1.75 
each ; or $ 7.00 a set, each set is put up m a neat box. 

Gambling Exposed, $1 75 i The Reformed Gambler, $1 75 

The Gambler’s Life, 1 75 | Secret Band of Brothers, 1 75 

Above are each in cloth, or each one is in paper cover, at $1.50 each. 


DOW’S PATENT SERMONS. 

Complete in four large duodecimo volumes, bound in cloth, gilt back, price $ 1.50 
each ; or $ 0.00 a set, each set is pul up in a neat box. 

Dow's Patent Sermons, 1st Dow’s Patent Sermons, 3d 


Series, cloth, $1 50 

Dow’s Patent Sermons, 2d 
Series, cloth, 1 50 


Series, cloth, $1 50 

Dow’s Patent Sermons, 4th 
Series, cloth 1 50 


Above are each in cloth, or each one is in paper cover, at $1.00 each. 


GEORGE SAND’S GREATEST WORKS. 

Consuelo, 12mo., cloth, $1 50 | Jealousy, 1 2mo., cloth, $1 50 

Countess of Rudolstadt, 1 50 | Indiana, 12mo., cloth, 1 50 

Above are each published in 12mo., cloth, gilt side and back. 
Fanchon, the Cricket, paper cover,. 50 cents, or line edition, in cloth, 1 50 
First and True Love. With 1 1 Illustrations. Paper, 75 cents ; cloth, 1 00 

Consuelo. Paper cover, 75 I The Corsair, 50 

Simon. A Love Story, 50 I The Last Aldini, 50 

The Countess of Rudolstadt. The Sequel to Consuelo. Paper cover, 75 

MISS BRADDON’S WORKS. 

Aurora Floyd, 75 I The Lawyer’s Secret, 25 

Aurora Floyd, cloth 1 00 | For Better, For Worse, 75 


Above Books will be sent, postage paid, on Receipt of Retail Prise, 
by T. B. Peterson & Brothers, Philadelphia, Pa. 


T. B. PETERSON & BROTHERS’ PUBLICATIONS. 5 


PETERSONS’ “DOLLAR SERIES.” 

Petersons' “ Dollar Series ” of Good Novels are the cheapest books at One Dollar each 
ever published. Ihey are all issued in uniform style , in Vlmo. form , and are 
bound in red, blue and tan vellum, with gold and black sides and back, and are sold 
at the lout price of One Dollar each, while they arc as large as any books published 
at ® 1. 75 and 52.00 each. The following have already been issued in this series: 

A Woman’s Thoughts About Women. By Miss Mulock. 

Two Ways to Matrimony; or, Is It Love, or, False Pride? 

The Story of “ Elizabeth.” By Miss Thackeray. 

Flirtations in Fashionable Life. By Catharine Sinclair. 

The Matchmaker. A Society Novel. By Beatrice Reynolds. 

Bose Douglas, the Bonnie Scotch Lass. A Companion to “ Family Pride.” 
The Earl’s Secret. A Charming Love Story. By Miss Pardoe. 

Family Secrets. A Companion to “Family Pride,” and very fascinating. 
The Macdermots of Ballycloran. An Exciting Novel, by A. Trollope. 

The Family Save-All. With Economical Receipts for the Household. 
Self-Sacrifice. A Charming Work. By author of “Margaret Maitland.” 
The Pride of Life. A Love Story. By Lady Jane Scott. 

The Rival Belles ; or, Life in Washington. Author “ Wild Western Scenes.” 
The Clyffards of Clyffe. By James Payn, author “ Lost Sir Massingberd.” 
The Orphan’s Trials; or, Alone in a Great City. By Emerson Bennett. 
The Heiress of Sweetwater. A Love Story, abounding with exciting scenes. 
The Refugee. A delightful book, full of food for laughter, and information. 
Lost Sir Massingberd. A Love Story. By author of “ Clyffards of Clyffe.’' 
Cora Belmont; or, The Sincere Lover. A True Story of the Heart. 

The Lover’s Trials ; or, The Days Before the Revolution. By Mrs. Denison. 
My Son’s Wife. A strong, bright, interesting and charming Novel. 

Aunt Patty’s Scrap Bag. By Mrs. Caroline Lee Hentz, author of “ Rena.” 
Saratoga! and the Famous Springs. An Indian Tale of Frontier Life. 
Country Quarters. A Charming Love Story. By Countess of Blessington. 
Self-Love. A Book for Young Ladies, with prospects in Life contrasted. 
The Devoted Bride; or, Faith and Fidelity. A Love Story. 

The Heiress in the Family. By author of “Marrying for Money.” 

Colley Cibber’s Life of Edwin Forrest, with Reminiscences of the Actor. 
The Man of the World. Full of style, elegance of diction, force of thought. 
Out of the Depths. The Story of a Woman’s Life, and a Woman’s Book. 
The Queen’s Favorite ; or, The Price of a Crown. A Romance of Don Juan. 
Six Nights with the Washingtonians. By T. S. Arthur. Illustrated. 

The Rector’s Wife; or, The Valiev of a Hundred Fires. A Beautiful work. 
The Coquette; or, the Life and Letters of the beautiful Eliza Wharton. 
Woman’s Wrong. A Book for Women. By Mrs. Eiloart. 

Ha rein Life in Egypt and Constantinople. By Emmeline Lott. 

The Old Patroon; or, The Great Van Broek Property, by J. A. Maitland. 
Nana. By Emile Zola. Gambling Exposed. By J. II. Green 

L’Assommoir. By Emile Zola. Woodburn Grange. By W. Ilowitt- 

Dream Numbers. By Trollope. The Cavalier. By G. P. R. James 

Love and Duty. By Mrs. Uubbaek. One for Another. By H. Morford 
A Lonely Life. Shoulder-Straps. By II. Morford. 

The Beautiful Widow. Treason at Home. Panola. 


jlgS " Above Books will be sent, postage paid, on receipt of Retail Prioe, 
by T. B. Peterson & Brothers, Philadelphia, Pa. 


6 T. B. PETERSON & BROTHERS’ PUBLICATIONS. 


PETERSONS’ “STERLING SERIES.” 

“ Peter sons’ Sterling Series ” of Neio and Good Books are the Cheapest Novels 
in the world. They are all issued in uniform style , in octavo form, price 
One Dollar each, bound in morocco cloth , black and gold ; or 75 cents each 
in paper cover , with (he edges cut open all around. The following 
celebrated works have already been issued in this series : 

Corinne; or, Italy. By Madame Dc Stael. This is a Wonderful Book. 
The Man in Black; or the Days of Queen Anne. By G. P. R. James. 
Edina; or, Missing Since Midnight. A Love Story. By Mrs. Henry Wood. 
Cyrilla. A Love Story. By the author of “ The Initials.” 

Popping the Question; or, Belle of the Ball. By author of “The Jilt.” 
Marrying for Money. A Charming Love Story in Real Life. 

Aurora Floyd. An Absorbing Love Story. By Miss M. E. Braddon. 
Salathiel; or, The Wandering Jew. Bj' Rev. George Croly. 

Harry Lorrequer. Full of Fun, Frolic and Adventure. By Charles Lever. 
Charles O’Malley, the Irish Dragoon. Charles Lever’s Greatest Novel. 

The Flirt. A Fashionable Novel. By author of “ The Gambler’s Wife.” 
The Dead Secret. Wilkie Collins’ Greatest Work. 

Thackeray’s Irish Sketch Book, with Thirty-eight Illustrations. 

The Wife’s Trials. Dramatic and Powerful. By Miss Julia Pardoe. 

The Man With Five Wives. By Alexander Dumas, author of “ Camille.” 
Pickwick Abroad. Illustrated by Cruikshnnk. By G. W. M. Reynolds. 
First and True Love. Beautifully rich in style. By George Sand. 

The Mystery; or, Anne Hereford. A Love Story. By Mrs. Henry Wood. 
The Steward. Illustrated. By the author of “Valentine Vox.” 

Basil: or, The Crossed Path. By Wilkie Collins. Told with great power. 
The Jealous Wife. Great originality of plot. By Miss Julia Pardoe. 
Sylvester Sound. By the author of “ Valentine Vox, the Ventriloquist.” 
Whitefriars; or, The Days of Charles tJTe Second. Equal to “Ivanhoe.” 
Webster and Hayne’s Speeches on Foot’s Resolution & Slavery Compromise. 
The Rival Beauties. A Beautiful Love Story. By Miss Pardoe. 

The Confessions of a Pretty Woman. By Miss Julia Pardoe. 

Flirtations in America; or, High Life in New York. 

The Coquette. A Powerful and Amusing Tale of Love and Pride. 

The Latimer Family. T. S. Arthur’s Great Temperance Story, illustrated. 

Above books are $1.00 each in cloth, or 75 cents each in paper cover. 
The Creole Beauty. By Mrs. Sarah A. Dorsey. Price Fifty cents. 

Agnes Graham. By Mrs. Sarah A. Dorsey. Price Fifty cents. 

HENRY MORFORD’S AMERICAN NOVELS. 

Shoulder-Straps, $1 75 I The Days of Shoddy. A His- 

The Coward, 1 75 I tory of the late War, $1 75 

Above are each in cloth, or each one is in paper cover, price $1.50 each. 

THE SHAKSPEARE NOVELS. 

Shakspeare and his Friends, ...$1 00 I The Secret Passion, $1 00 

The Youth of Shakspeare, 1 00 I 

Above three Books are also bound in morocco cloth. Price $1.25 each. 


Above Books will be sent, postage paid, on receipt of Retail Price, 
by T. B. Peterson & Brothers, Philadelphia, Pa. 


T. B. PETERSON & BROTHERS’ PUBLICATIONS. 7 


CHARLES DICKENS’ WORKS. ILLUSTRATED. 

This edition is printed from large type, octavo size, each book being complete 
in one large octavo volume, bound in Morocco Cloth, with Gilt Character 
Figures on back, and Medallion on side, price $1 .50 each, or $27.00 a set , 
contained in eighteen volumes, the whole containing near Six Hundred 
Illustrations, by Cruikshank, Phiz, Browne, Machine, and other artists. 
The Pickwick Papers. By Charles Dickens. With 32 Illustrations, .$1.50 
Nicholas Nickleby. By Charles Dickens. With 37 Illustrations,.... 1 50 

David Copperfield. By Charles Dickens. With 8 Illustrations, 1 50 

Oliver Twist. By Charles Dickens. With 24 Illustrations, 1 50 

Bleak House. By Charles Dickens. With 38 Illustrations, 1 50 

Dombey and Son. By Charles Dickens. With 38 Illustrations, 1 50 

Sketches by “ Boz.” By Charles Dickens. With 20 Illustrations,... 1 50 

Little Dorrit. By Charles Dickens. With 38 Illustrations, 1 50 

Our Mutual Friend. By Charles Dickeps. With 42 Illustrations.... 1 50 
Great Expectations. By Charles Dickens. With 34 Illustrations,... 1 50 
Lamplighter’s Stor}'. By Charles Dickens. With 7 Illustrations,... 1 50 

Barnaby Rudge. By Charles Dickens. With 50 Illustrations, 1 50 

Martin Chuzzlewit. By Charles Dickens. With 8 Illustrations, 1 50 

Old Curiosity Shop. By Charles Dickens. With 101 Illustrations,. 1 50 

Christmas Stories. By Charles Dickens. With 12 Illustrations, 1 50 

Dickens’ New Stories. By Charles Dickens. With portrait of author, 1 50 
A Tale of Two Cities. By Charles Dickens. With 64 Illustrations,. 1 5® 
Charles Dickens’s American Notes and Pic-Nio Papers, 1 5 0 

WORKS BY THE VERY BEST AUTHORS. 

The following books are each issued in one large duodecimo volume, 
boiaid in cloth, at $1.75 each, or each one is inpaper cover, at $1.50 each. 


The Initials. A Love Story. By Baroness Tautphceus, $1 75 

Married Beneath Him. By author of “ Lost Sir Massingberd,” 1 75 

Margaret Maitland. By Mrs. Oliphant, author of “ Zaidee,” 1 75 

Family Pride. By author of “ Pique,” “Family Secrets,” etc 1 75 

The Autobiography of Edward Wortley Montagu, 1 75 

The Forsaken Daughter. A Companion to “Linda,” 1 75 

Love and Liberty. A Revolutionary Story. By Alexander Dumas, 1 75 

The Morrisons. By Mrs. Margaret Hosmer, 1 75 

The Rich Husband. By author of “George Geith,” 1 75 

The Lost Beauty. By a Noted Lady of the Spanish Court, 1 75 

My Hero. By Mrs. Forrester. A Charming Love Story, 1 75 

The Quaker Soldier. A Revolutionary Romance. By Judge Jones,.... 1 75 
Memoirs of Vidocq, the French Detective. His Life and Adventures, 1 75 


The Belle of Washington. With her Portrait. By Mrs. N. P. Lasselle, 1 75 
High Life in Washington. A Life Picture. By Mrs. N. P. Lasselle, 1 75 
Courtship and Matrimony. By Robert Morris. With a Portrait,... 1 50 

The Jealous Husband. By Annette Marie Maillard, 1 75 

The Conscript; or, the Days of Napoleon 1st. By Alex. Dumas,.... 1 75 
Cousin Harry. By Mrs. Grey, author of “ The Gambler’s Wife,” etc. 1 75 
Above books are each in cloth, or each one is in paper cover, at $1.50 each. 


ifg?* Abora Books will be sent, postage paid, on receipt of Retail Prio®, 
by T. B. Peterson & Brothers, Philadelphia, Pa. 


8 T. B. PETERSON & BROTHERS’ PUBLICATIONS. 


WORKS BY THE VERY BEST AUTHORS. 

The following hooks are each issued in one large duodecimo volume , 
bound in cloth, at $1.75 each, or each one is in •paper cover at $1.50 each. 
The Count of Monte-Cristo. By Dumas. Illustrated, paper $1.00,..$1 75 
The Countess of Monte-Cristo. ?aper cover, price $1.00 ; or cloth,.. 1 75 

Camille; or, the Fate of a Coquette. By Alexander Dumas, 1 75 

Love and Money. By J. B. Jones, author of the “ Rival Bellos,”... 1 75 
The Brother’s Secret; or, the Count De Mara. By William Godwin, 1 75 
The Lost Love. By Mrs. Oliphant, author of “ Margaret. Maitland,” 1 75 
The Roman Traitor. By Henry William Herbert. A Roman Story, 1 75 


The Last Athenian. By Victor Rydberg. From the Swedish, 1 75 

The Bohemians of Loudon. By Edward M. Whitty, 1 75 

Wild Sports and Adventures in Africa. By Major W. C. Harris, 1 75 

The Life, Writings, and Lectures of the late “ Fanny Fern,” 1 75 

The Life and Lectures of Lola Montez, with her portrait, 1 75 

Wild Southern Scenes. By author of “Wild Western Scenes,” 1 75 

Currer Lyle ; or, the Autobiography of an Actress. By Louise Reeder. 1 75 

The Cabin and Parlor. By J. Thornton Randolph. Illustrated, 1 75 

The Little Beauty. A Love Story. By Mrs. Grey, 1 75 

Lizzie Glenn ; or, the Trials of a Seamstress. By T. S. Arthur 1 75 

Lady Maud ; or, the Wonder of Kingswood Chase. By Pierce Egan, 1 75 

Wilfred Montressor ; or, High Life in New York. Illustrated, 1 75 

Lorrimer Littlegood, by author “ Harry Coverdale’s Courtship,” 1 75 

Married at Last. A Love Story. By Annie Thomas, 1 75 

Shoulder Straps. By Henry Morford, author of “ Days of Shoddy,” 1 75 
Days of Shoddy. By Henry Morford, author of “ Shoulder Straps,” 1 75 
The Coward. By Henry Morford, author of “ Shoulder Straps,” 1 75 


Above books are each in cloth, or each one is in paper cover, at $1 .50 each. 

MRS. HENRY WOOD’S BEST BOOKS, IN CLOTH. 

The following are cloth editions of Mrs. Henry Wood's best books, and they 
are each issued in large octavo volumes, bound in cloth, price $1.75 each. 
Within the Maze. By Mrs. Henry Wood, author of “East Lynne,” $1 75 

The Master of Greylands. By Mrs. Henry Wood, 1 75 

Dene Hollow. By Mrs. Henry Wood, author of “Within the Maze,” 1 75 
Bessy Rane. By Mrs. Henry Wood, author of “ The Channings,”.... 1 75 
George Canterbury’s Will. By Mrs. Wood, author “Oswald Cray,” 1 75 
The Channings. By Mrs. Henry Wood, author of “ Dene Hollow,”... 1 75 

Roland Yorke. A Sequel to “ The Channings.” By Mrs. Wood, 1 75 

Shadow of Ashlydyatt. By Mrs. Wood, author of “ Bessy Rane,”.... 1 75 
Lord Oakburn’s Daughters; or The Earl’s Heirs. By Mrs. Wood,... 1 75 
Verner’s Pride. By Mrs. Henry Wood, author of “ The Chann ings,” 1 75 
The Castle’s Heir; or Lady Adelaide’s Oath. By Mrs. Henry Wood, 1 75 
Oswald Cray. By Mrs. Henry Wood, author of “ Roland Yorke,”.... 1 75 

Squire Trevlyn’s Heir; or Trevlyn Hold. By Mrs. Henry Wood, 1 75 

The Red Court Farm. Bv Mrs. Wood, author of “ Verner’s Pride,” 1 75 

Elster’s Folly. By Mrs. Henry Wood, author of “ Castle’s Heir,”.,. 1 75 

St. Martin’s Eve. By Mrs. Henry Wood, author of “Dene Hollow,” 1 75 
Mildred Arkell. By Mrs. Henry Wood, author of “East Lynne,” 1 75 

1$^* Above Books will be sent, postage paid, on receipt of Retail Prioe, 
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T. B. PETERSON' & BROTHERS’ PUBLICATIONS. 9 


ALEXANDER DUMAS’ WORKS, BOUND IN CLOTH. 

The following are cloth editions of Alexander Dumas’ i corks, and they are 
each issued in large octavo volumes, bound in cloth , price $1.75 each. 

The Three Guardsmen ; or. The Three Mousquetaires. By A. Dumas, $1 75 
Twenty Years After; or the “ Second Series of Three Guardsmen,’’ ... 1 75 
Bragelonne; Sen of Athos ; or “ Third Series of Three Guardsmen,” 1 75 
The Iron Mask; or the “ Fourth Series of The Three Guardsmen.” .... 1 75 
Louise La Valliere; or the “ Fifth Series and End of the Three 


Guardsmen Series,” 1 75 

The Memoirs of a Physician ; or, Joseph Balsamo. Illustrated, 1 75 


Queen’s Necklace; or “ Second Series of Memoirs of a Physician,” 1 75 
Six Years Later; or the “ Third Series of Memoirs of a Physician,” 1 75 
Countess of Charny ; or “ Fourth Series of Memoirs of a Physician,” 1 75 
Andree De Taverney; or “ Fifth Series of Memoirs of a Physician,” 1 75 
The Chevalier; or tho “ Sixth Series and End of the Memoirs of a 


Physician Series,” 1 75 

The Adventures of a Marquis. By Alexander Dumas, 1 75 

The Count of Monte-Cristo. By Alexander Dumas, 1 75 

Edmond Dantes. A Sequel to the “ Count of Monte-Cris*o,”. 1 75 


The Countess of Monte-Cristo. A Companion to “ Monte-Cristo,”.... 1 75 
The Forty- Five Guardsmen. By Alexander Dumas. Illustrated,... 1 75 
Diana of Mcridor, or Lady of Monsoreau. By Alexander Dumas,... 1 75 
The Iron Hand. By Alex. Dumas, author ‘‘Count of Monte-Cristo,” 1 75 


Camille; or the Fate of a Coquette. (La Dame aux Camelias,) 1 75 

The Conscript. A novel of the Days of Napoleon the First, 1 75 


Love and Liberty. A novel of the French Revolution of 1792-1793, 1 75 

GEORGE W. M. REYNOLDS’ WORKS, IN CLOTH. 

The following are cloth editions of G. ll r . M. Reynolds’ works, and they are 
each issued in large octavo volumes, bound in cloth, price $1.75 each. 

The Mysteries of the Court of London. By George W. M. Reynolds, 1 75 
Rose Foster; or the “ Second Series of Mysteries of Court of London,” 1 75 
Caroline of Brunswick ; or the “ Third Series of the Court of London,” 1 75 
Venetia Trelawney; or “ End of the Mysteries of the Court of London,” 1 75 


Lord Saxondale; or the Court of Queen Victoria. By Reynolds, 1 75 

Count Christoval. Sequel to “ Lord Saxondale.” By Reynolds, 1 75 


Rosa Lambert; or Memoirs of an Unfortunate Woman. Bv Reynolds, 1 75 
Mary Price; or tho Adventures of a, Servant Maid. By Reynolds,... 1 75 
Eustace Quentin. Sequel to “Mary Price.” By G. W. M. Reynolds, 1 75 
Joseph Wilmot; or the Memoirs of a Man Servant. By Reynolds,... 1 75 
The Banker’s Daughter. Sequel to “Joseph Wilmot.” By Reynolds, 1 75 
Kenneth. A Romance of the Highlands. By G. W. M. Reynolds, 1 75 
Rye-House Plot; or the Conspirator’s Daughter. By Reynolds, 1 7 S 


Necromancer; or the Times of Henry the Eighth. By Reynolds, 1 75 

The Mysteries of the Court of Naples. By G. W. M. Reynolds, 1 75 

Wallace; the Hero of Scotland. By G. W. M. Reynolds, I 75 

The Gipsy Chief. By George W. M. Reynolds, 1 75 


Robert Bruce; the Hero King of Scotland. By G. W. M. Reynolds, 1 75 


Above Books will be sent, postage paid, on receipt of Retail Prioa, 
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30 T. B. PETERSON & BROTHERS’ PUBLICATIONS. 


WORKS BY THE VERY BEST AUTHORS. 

The following hooks are each issued in one large octavo volume , bound in 
cloth , at $2.00 each , or each one is done up in paper cover, at $1.50 each. 

The Wandering Jew. By Eugene Sue. Full of Illustrations, $2 00 

Mysteries of Paris; and its Sequel, Gerolstein. By Eugene Sue,.... 2 00 

Martin, the Foundling. By Eugene Sue. Full of Illustrations, 2 00 

Ten Thousand a Year. By Samuel Warren. With Illustrations,.... 2 00 

Washington and His Generals. By George Lippard, 2 00 

The Quaker City; or, the Monks of Monk Hall. By George Lippard, 2 00 

Blanche of Brandy win o. By George Lippard, 2 00 

Paul Ardenheitn ; the Monk of Wissahickon. By George Lippard,. 2 00 
The Mysteries of Florence. By Geo. Lippard, author Quaker City," 2 00 
The Pictorial Tower of London ~By W. Harrison Ainsworth, 2 50 

The following are each issued in one large, octavo volume, hound in cloth, price $2.08 
each, or a cheap edition is issued in paper cover, at lb cents each. 


Charles O’Malley, the Irish Dragoon. By Charles Lever, Cloth, $2 00 

Harry Lorrequer. With his Confessions. By Charles Lever,.. .Cloth, 2 00 

Jack Hinton, the Guardsman. By Charles Lever, doth, 2 00 

Davenport Dunn. A Man of Our Day. By Charles Lever, ...Cloth, 2 00 

Tom Burke of Ours. By Charles Lever, Cloth, 2 00 

The Knight of Gwynne. By Charles Lever, Cloth, 2 00 

Arthur O’Leary. By Charles Lever, Cloth, 2 00 

Con Cregan. By Charles Lever, Cloth, 2 00 

Horace Templeton. By Charles Lever, Cloth, 2 00 

Kate O Donoghue. By Charles Lever, Cloth, 2 00 

Valentine Vox, the Ventriloquist. By Harry Cockton, Cloth, 2 00 


HUMOROUS ILLUSTRATED WORKS. 

Each one is full of Illustrations, by Felix O. C. Darley, and bound in Cloth, 
Major Jones’ Courtship and Travels. In one vol., 29 Illustrations, .$1 75 

Major Jones’ Scenes in Georgia. With 16 Illustrations, 1 50 

Swamp Doctor’s Adventures in the South-West. 14 Illustrations,... 1 50 

Col. Thorpe’s Scenes in Arkansaw. With 16 Illustrations, 1 50 

High Life in New York, by Jonathan Slick. With Illustrations,.... 1 50 

Piney Wood’s Tavern: or, Sam Slick in Texas. Illustrated, 1 50 

Humors of Falconbridge. By J. F. Kelley. With Illustrations, ... 1 50 

Simon Suggs’ Adventures and Travels. With 17 Illustrations, 1 75 

The Big Bear’s Adventures and Travels. With IS Illustrations, 1 75 

Judge Haliburton’s Yankee Stories. Illustrated, 1 75 

Harry Coverdale’s Courtship and Marriage. Illustrated, 1 75 

Lorriraer Littlcgood. Illustrated. By author of “ Frank Fairlegh,” 1 75 
Sam Slick, the Clockmaker. Bv Judge Haliburton. Illustrated,... 1 75 

Modern Chivalry. By Judge Breekenridg#. Two vols., each 1 75 

Neal’s Charcoal Sketches. By Joseph C. Neal. 21 Illustrations,... 2 50 

Major Jones’s Courtship. 21 Illustrations. Paper, 75 cents, cloth, 1 00 

Major Jones’s Georgia Scenes. 12 Illustrations. Paper, 75 cents, doth, 1 00 

Major Jones’s Travels. 8 Illustrations. Paper, 75 cents, cloth, I 00 

Raney Cottem’s Courtship. 8 Illustrations. Paper, 50 cents, cloth, 1 00 


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T. B. PETERSON & BROTHERS’ PUBLICATIONS. 11 


NEW AND GOOD BOOKS BY BEST AUTHORS. 

Consuelo. By George Sand. One volume, 12mo., bound in cloth, ...$1 50 


The Countess of Rudolstadt. Sequel to “ Consuelo.” 12mo., cloth,.. ] 50 
Indiana. A Novel. By George Sand, author of “ Consuelo," cloth, 1 50 
Jealousy ; or, Teverino. By George Sand, author Consuelo,” cloth, 1 50 
Fanchon, the Cricket j or, La Petite Fadette. By George Sand, cloth, 1 50 

The Dead Secret. By Wilkie Collins, author of “ Basil,” eloth, 1 50 

The Crossed Path; or Basil. By Wilkie Collins, cloth, 1 50 

John Jasper’s Secret. Sequel tv “ Mystery of Et( win I) oorf,” cloth,... 1 50 
The Life of Charles Dickens. By i>r. R. Shelton Mackenzie, eloth, 1 50 
The Lamplighter’s Story, with others. By Charles Dickens, eloth,... 1 50 
The Old Stone Mansion. By author of “ Heiress of Sweetwater,” cloth, 1 50 

Rose Foster. By George W. M. Reynolds, Esq., cloth, 1 75 

Lord Montagu’s Page. By G. P. R. James, author ‘ Cavalier,’ cloth, 1 75 
The Earl of Mayfield. By Thomas P. May, cloth, black and gold,.. 1 50 

Myrtle Lawn. A Novel. By Robert E. Ballard, cloth, 1 50 

Corinne; or, Italy. A Love Story. By Madame de Stael, cloth,.... 1 00 
Cyrilla; or Mysterious Engagement. By author of “ Initials,” cloth, 1 00 

Treason at Home. A Novel. By Mrs. Greenough, cloth, 1 75 

Letters from Europe. By Colonel John W. Forney. Bound in cloth, 1 75 

Frank Fairlegh. By author of “ Lewis Arundel,” cloth, 1 75 

Lewis Arundel. By author of “ Frank Fairlegh,” eloth, .. 1 75 

Harry Racket Scapegrace. By the author of “ Frank Fairlegh,” cloth, 1 75 

Tom Racquet. By author of “ Frank Fairlegh,” cloth, 1 75 

La Gaviota ; the Sea-Gull. By Fernan Caballero, cloth, 1 50 

Aurora Floyd. By Miss M. E. Braddon. Bound in eloth, . 1 00 

The Laws and Practice of the Game of Euchre and Draw Poker, 
as adopted by the Euchre Club of Washington, D. C. Cloth, 1 00 


Youth of Shakspeare, author “Shakspeare and His Friends,” cloth, 1 25 
Shakspeare and His Friends, author “Youth of Shakspeare,” eloth, 1 26 
The Secret Passion, author of “Shakspeare and His Friends,” eloth, 1 25 
Father Tom and the Pope; or, A Night at the Vatican, illus., cloth, 1 00 


Poetical Works of Sir Walter Seott. One 8vo. volume, cloth, 2 50 

Life of Sir Walter Soott. By John G. Lockhart. With Portrait, 2 50 


Tales of a Grandfather & History of Scotland, by Walter Scott, cloth, 2 50 
Life of Napoleon Bonaparte, by Sir Walter Scott. One 8vo. vol., cloth, 2 50 
Miss Pardoe’s Choice Novels. In one large octavo volume, cloth,... 4 00 
Life, Speeches and Martyrdom of Abraham Lincoln. Illus., cloth,.. 1 75 
Rome and the Papacy. A History of the Men, Manners and Tempo- 


ral Government of Rome in the Nineteenth Century, cloth 1 75 

The French, German, Spanish, Latin and Italian Languages Without 
a Master. Whereby any one of these Languages oan be learned 

without a Teacher. By A. H. Monteith. One volume, cloth 2 00 

Liebig’s Complete Works on Chemistry. B}’ Justus Liebig, eloth,... 2 00 

Life and Adventures of Don Quixote and Saneho Panza, oloth, 1 75 

Tan-go-ru-a. An Historical Drama, in Pr"se. By Mr. Moorhead,.... 1 00 

The Impeachment Trial of President Andrew Johnson. Cloth, 1 50 

Trial of the Assassins for the Murder of Abraham Linooln. Cloth,... 1 50 


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12 T. B. PETERSON & BROTHERS’ PUBLICATIONS. 


NEW AND GOOD BOOKS BY BEST AUTHORS. 

Beautiful Snow, and Other Poems. Nex c Illustrated Edition. By J. W. 
Watson. Wilh Illustrations by E. L. Henry. One volume, morocco 
cloth, black and gold, gilt top, side, and back, price $2.00; or in 
maroon morocco cloth, full gilt edges, full gilt back, full gilt sides, $3 Of 
The Outcast, and Other Poems. By J. W. Watson. One volume, 
green morocco cloth, gilt top, side and back, price $2.<’0 ; or in ma- 
roon morocco cloth, full gilt edges, full gilt back, full gilt sides, ... 3 00 
The Young Magdalen; and Other Poems. Bound in green mo- 
rocco cloth, gilt top, side, and hack, price $3.00; or in full gilt,.... 4 00 
Hans Brettmann’s Ballads. By Charles G. Leland. Containing the 
“First” “ Second ,” “ Third,” “Fourth” and “Fifth Series ” of Hans 
Breitmann’s Ballads. Complete in one large volume, bound in 
morocco cloth, gilt side, gilt top, and full gilt back, with beveled 


boards. With a full and complete Glossary to the whole work, 4 0$ 

Meister Karl's Sketch Book. By Charles G. Leland, (Hans Breit- 
mann.) Complete in one volume, green morocco cloth, gilt side, 
gilt top, gilt hack, with beveled boards, price $2.50, or in maroon 

morocco cloth, full gilt edges, full gilt back, full gilt sides, etc., 3 50 

The Ladies’ Guide to True Politeness and Perfect Manners. By 
Miss Leslie. Every lad}' should have it. Cloth, full gilt back,... 1 75 
The Ladies’ Complete Guide to Needlework and Embroidery. Wilh 

113 illustrations. By Miss Lambert. Cloth, full gilt back 1 75 

The Ladies’ Work Table Book. 27 illustrations. Paper 50 cts., cloth, 1 00 
Dow’s Short Patent Sermons. By Dow, Jr. In 4 vols., cloth, each.... 1 50 
Wild Oats Sown Abroad. A Spicy Book. By T. B. Witmer, cloth,... 1 50 
The Miser’s Daughter. By William Harrison Ainsworth, eloth, 1 75 


Across the Atlantic. Letters from France, Switzerland, Germany, 

Italy, and England. By C. H. Haeseler, M.D. Bound in cloth,... 2 00 
Popery Exposed. An Exposition of Popery as it was and is, cloth. 1 75 
The Adopted Heir. By Miss Pardoe. author of “The Earl’s Secret,” 1 75 
Coal, Coal Oil, and all other Minerals in the Earth. By Eli Bowen, 1 75 


Secession, Coercion, and Civil War. By J. B. Jones, 1 75 

Lives of Jaek Sheppard and Guv Fawkes. Illustrated. One vol., cloth, 1 75 
Christy and White’s Complete Ethiopian Melodics, bound in cloth,... 1 t)0 
Historical Sketches of Plymouth. Luzerne Co., Penna. By Hendrick 
B. Wright, of Wilkesb'irre. With Twenty-five Photographs 4 AO 


Dr. Holliek’s great work on the Anatomy and Physiology of the 
Human Figure, with colored dissected plates of the Human Figure, 2 00 
Riddell’s Model Architect. With 22 large full page colored illus- 
trations, and 44 plates of ground plans, with plans, specifications, 
costs of building, etc. One large quarto volume, bound, 15 01 

HARRY CQCKTON’S LAUGHABLE NOVELS. 


Valentine Vox, Ventriloquist,.. 

Valentine Vox, eloth,.. 

Sylvester Sound, 

The Love Match, 


75 The Fatal Marriages, 

2 00 The Steward, 

75 Percy Effingham, 

75 The Prince, 


75 

75 

75 

75 


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T. B. PETERSON & BROTHERS’ PUBLICATIONS. 13 


WORKS IN SETS BY THE BEST AUTHORS. 

Mrs. Emma D. E. N. Southworth’s Popular Novels. 43 vols. in all, $75 25 


Mrs. Ann S. Stephens’ Celebrated Novels. 23 volumes in all, 40 25 

Miss Eliza A. Dupuy’s Works. Fourteen volumes in all, 24 50 

Mrs. Caroline Lee Hentz’s Novels. Twelve volumes in all, 21 00 

Mrs. C. A. Warfield’s Novels. Nine volumes in all, 15 75 

Frederika Bremer’s Novels. Six volumes in all. 10 50 

T. Adolphus Trollope’s Works. Seven volumes in all, 12 25 

James A. Maitland’s Novels. Seven volumes in all, 12 25 

Charles Lever’s Works. Ten volumes in all, 20 00 

Alexander Dumas’ Works. Twenty-one volumes in all, 36 75 

George W. M. Reynolds’ Works. Eighteen volumes in all, 31 50 

Frank Fairlegh’s Works. Six volumes in all, 10 50 

Q. K. Philander Doestick’s Novels. Four volumes in all, 7 00 

Cook Books. The best in the world. Eleven volumes in all, 18 25 

Henry Morford’s Novels. Three volumes in all, 5 25 

Mrs. Henry Wood’s Novels. Seventeen volumes in all, 29 75 

Emerson Bennett’s Novels. Seven volumes in all 12 25 

Green’s Works on Gambling. Four volumes in all, 7 00 

American Humorous Works. Illustrated. Twelve volumes in all, 19 50 

Eugene Sue's Best Works. Three volumes in all, 6 00 

George Sand’s Works. Consuelo, etc. Five volumes in all, 7 50 

George Lippard’s Works. Five volumes in all 10 00 

Dow’s Short Patent Sermons. Four volumes in all, 6 00 


The Waverley Novels. New National Edition. Five 8vo. vols., cloth, 15 00 
Charles Dickens’ Works. New National Edition. 7 volumes, cloth, 20 00 

Charles Dickens’ Works. Illustrated 8 co. Edition. 18 vols., cloth, 27 00 

Charles Dickens’ Works. New American Edition. 22 vols., cloth, 33 00 

Charles Dickens’ Works. Green Cloth 12 mo. Edition. 22 vols., cloth, 44 00 

Charles Dickens’ Works. Illustrated 12 mo. Edition. 36 vols., cloth, 45 00 

T. S. ARTHUR’S GREAT TEMPERANCE WORKS. 

Six Nights with the Washingtonians, Illustrated. T. S. Arthur’s 
Great Temperance Stories. Large Subscription Edition, cloth, gilt, 

$3.50; Red Roan, $1.50; Full Turkey Antique, Full Gilt, 6 00 

The Latimer Family ; or the Bottle and Pledge. By T. S. Arthur, cloth, 1 00 

MODEL SPEAKERS AND READERS. 

Comstock’s Elocution and Model Speaker. Intended for the use of 
Schools, Colleges, and for private Study, for the Promotion of 
Health, Cure of Stammering, and Defective Articulation. By 
Andrew Comstock and Philip Lawrence. With 236 Illustrations.. 2 00 
The Lawrence Speaker. A Selection of Literary Gems in Poetry and 
Prose, designed for the use of Colleges, Schools, Seminaries, Literary 
Societies. By Philip Lawrence, Professor of Elocution. 600 pages.. 2 00 
Comstock’s Colored Chart. Being a perfect Alphabet of the English 
Language, Graphic and Typic, with exercises in Pilch, Force and 
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4 • O- » 

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14 T. B. PETERSON & BROTHERS’ PUBLICATIONS. 


CHARLES DICKENS’ WORKS. 

•BS-GBEAT REDUCTION IN THEIB PRICES. -fcj 


ILLUSTRATED OCTAVO EDITION. 

Reduced, in price from $2.50 to $1.50 « volume. 

Thin edition is printed from large type, double column, octavo page, each 
book being complete in one volume, the whole containing near Six Hundred 


Illustrations, by Cruikshank, Phiz 

Our Mutual Friend, Cloth, $1.50 

Pickwick Papers, Cloth, 1.50 

Nicholas Nickleby, Cloth, 1.50 

Great Expectations, Cloth, 1.50 

Lamplighter’s Story,....Cloth, 1.50 

Oliver Twist, Cloth, 1.50 

Bleak House, Cloth, 1.50 

Little Dorrit, Cloth, 1.50 

Dombey and Son, Cloth, 1.50 


Browne, Maclise, and other artists. 

David Copperfield, Cloth, $1.50 

Barnaby Rudge, Cloth, 1.50 

Martin Chuzzlewit, Cloth, 1.50 

Old Curiosity Shop, Cloth, 1.50 

Sketches by “ Boz,” Cloth, 1.50 

Christmas Stories, Cloth, 1.50 

Dickens’ New Stories, ...Cloth, 1.50 
A Tale of Two Cities,. ..Cloth, 1.50 
Ainer. Notes, Pic-Nic Papers, 1.50 


Price of a set, in Black cloth, in eighteen volumes, i.$27.00 

Full sheep, Library style, 40.00 

Half calf, sprinkled edges, 48.00 

Half calf, marbled edges, 54.00 

Half calf, antique, or Half calf, full gilt backs,... 60.00 


ILLUSTRATED DUODECIMO EDITION. 

Reduced in price from $2.00 to $1.25 a volume. 

This edition is printed on the finest paper, from large, clear type, leadcd t 
that all can read, containing Six Hundred full page Illustrations, on 
tinted paper, from designs by Cruikshank, Phiz, Browne, Maclise , 
McLenan, and other artists. This is the only edition published that con- 
tains all the original illustrations, as selected by Mr. Charles Dickens. 
Complete in 36 volumes, bound in back, morocco cloth, price $45.00 a set. 


“ NEW NATIONAL EDITION” OF DICKENS’ WORKS. 

This is the cheapest bound edition of the entire works of Charles Dickens 
ever published, all his writings being contained in seven large octavo vol- 
umes, with a portrait of Charles Dickens, and other illustrations. 


Price of a set, in Black cloth, in seven volumes, $20.00 

“ u Full sheep, Library style, 23.00 


“ “ Half calf, antique, or Half calf, full gilt backs,... 25.00 

GREEN MOROCCO CLOTH, DUODECIMO EDITION. 

This is the “ People' 8 Duodecimo Edition ” in a new style of Binding, in 
Green Morocco Cloth, Bevelled Boards, Full Gilt descriptive back , and 
Medallion Portrait on sides in gilt, in Twenty-two handy volumes, 12»»o., 
fine paper , large clear type, and Two Hundred Illustrations on tinted paper. 
Price $44 a set, and each set. put up in a neat and strong box. This is 
the handsomest and best edition ever jjublished for the price. 


$3^* Above Books will be sent, postage paid, on receipt of Retail Prio*t 
by T. B. Peterson & Brothers, Philadelphia, Pa. 


T. B. PETERSON & BROTHERS’ PUBLICATIONS. 15 


CHARLES DICKENS’ WORKS. 

*S- GREAT REDUCTION IN THEIB PRICES. -S* 


PETERSONS’ NEW AMERICAN EDITION OF DICKENS’ WORKS. 


This new edition of Charles Dickens’ Writings is in twenty-two volumes, 
and for beauty and cheapness far surpasses any ever before issued. It is 
called “ Petersons’ New American Edition,” and is printed on fine paper, 
from large, clear type, leaded, with original illustrations as selected by 
Mr. Dickens and designed by Phiz, Cruikshank, Browne, Maclise and other 
artists, and bound very gorgeously in red vellum, black and gold, with the 
cover filled with the author’s principal characters, which he has made so 
world-famous. There in one corner is the immortal Pickwick, in another 
the well-known Micawber, the learned Capt. Cuttle, poor little Oliver Twist, 
the misguided Grandfather, the mean, hypocritical Pecksniff, the merce- 
nary Squeers, Boots, The Beadle, etc., and all of this for the small sum of 
$1.50 a volume, or a complete set in 22 volumes, each set put up in a neat 
box, for $33.00, making a very handsome and unique edition. 

CHEAP PAPER COVER EDITION OF DICKENS’ WORKS. 


Each book being complete 


Pickwick Papers, 50 

Nicholas Nickleby, 50 

Dombey and Son, 50 

Our Mutual Friend, 50 

David Copperfield, 50 

Martin Chuzzlewit, 50 

Old Curiosity Shop, 50 

Oliver Twist, 50 

American Notes, 25 

Hard Times, 25 

A Tale of Two Cities, 25 

Somebody’s Luggage, 25 

Mrs. Lirriper’s Lodgings, 25 

Mrs. Lirriper’s Legacy, 25 

Mugby Junction, 25 

Dr. Marigold’s Prescriptions,... 25 

Mystery of Edwin Drood, 25 

Message from the Sea, 25 


Hunted Down; and Other Reprinted 


in one large octavo volume. 

Bleak House, 

Little Dorrit, 

Christmas Stories, 

Barnaby Rudge, 

Sketches by “Boz,” 

Great Expectations, 

Joseph Grimaldi, 

The Pic-Nic Papers, 

The Haunted House, 

Uncommercial Traveller, 

A House to Let, 

Perils of English Prisoners, 

Wreck of the Golden Mary, 

Tom Tiddler’s Ground, 

Dickens’ New Stories, 

Lazy Tour of Idle Apprentices,. 

The Holly-Tree Inn, 

No Thoroughfare, 

! Pieces, 


50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

25 

25 

25 

25 

25 

25 

25 

25 

25 

25 

50 


THE LIFE AND WRITINGS OF CHARLES DICKENS. 

LIFE AND WRITINGS OF CHARLES DICKENS. By Dr. R. Shelton 
Mackenzie, containing a full history of his Life, his Uncollected Pieces, 
in Prose and Verse ; Personal Recollections and Anecdotes; Ilis Last 
Will in full ; and Letters from Mr. Dickens never before published. 
With a Portrait and Autograph of Charles Dickens. Complete in one 
large duodecimo volume, in black cloth, or in red vellum. Price $1.50. 


Above Books will be sent, postage paid, on receipt of Retail Price, 
by T. B. Peterson & Brothers, Philadelphia, Pa. 


16 T. B. PETERSON & BROTHERS’ PUBLICATION'S. 


ALEXANDER DUMAS’ WONDERFUL WORKS. 


Count of Monte-Cristo, $1 00 Memoirs of a Physician; or, 

Edmond Dantes, 75 Joseph Balsamo, 

The Three Guardsmen, 75 , Queen’s Necklace, 

Twenty Years After, 75 ; Six Years Later, 

Bragelonne, 75 Countess of Charny, 

The Iron Mask, 1 00 Andree de Taverney, 

Louise La Valliere, 1 00 j The Chevalier, 

Diana of Meridor 1 00 j Forty-five Guai-dsmen, 

Adventures of a Marquis, 1 00 | The Iron Hand, 

Love and Liberty, (1792-’93).. 1 50 | The Conscript, 

Camille; or, The Fate of a Coquette, (La Dame Aux Cainelias,) 

Countess of Monte-Cristo, a companion to Count of Monte-Cristo,... 

The above are each in paper cover, or in cloth, price $1.75 each 


$1 00 
1 00 
1 00 
1 00 
1 00 
1 00 
, 1 00 
1 00 
1 50 
1 50 
, 1 00 


The Mohicans of Paris, 

The Horrors of Paris, 

The Fallen Angel, 

Felina de Chambure, 

Sketches in France, 

Isabel of Bavaria, 

The Man with Five Wives, 

Annette; or, Lady of Pearls,... 


75 

75 

75 

75 

75 

75 

75 

75 


Twin Lieutenants, 

George ; or, Isle of France,, 

Madame de Chainblay, 

The Black Tulip, 

The Corsican Brothers, 

The Count, of Moret, 

The Marriage Verdict, 

Buried Alive, 


50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

25 


GEORGE W. K. REYNOLDS’ HISTORICAL NOVELS. 


Mysteries Court of London, ....$1 00 


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Robert Bruce, the Hero-King of Sco 
The above are each in paper cov 
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Child of Waterloo, 75 

Isabella Vincent, 75 

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Countess of Lascelles, 75 

Duke of Marchinont, 75 

Massacre of Glencoe, 75 

Loves of the Harem, 75 

The Soldier’s Wife, 75 

May Middleton, 75 


Mary Price, $1 00 

Eustace Quentin, 1 00 

Joseph Wilmot, 1 00 

Banker’s Daughter, 1 00 

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is, full of illustrations 1 00 

tland, full of Illustrations 1 00 

er, or in cloth, price $1.75 each. 

Ellen Percy, 75 

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The above are each in paper cover, or in cloth, price $1.75 each. 

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50 


50 

50 

75 


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25 
25 


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50 

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Year after Marriage,. 
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50 

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50 

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50 

50 


The Divorced Wife, 

Mary Moreton, 

Pride and Prudence, 

Agnes; or, the Possessed,. 

Lucy Sandford 

The Banker’s Wife, 

The Two Merchants, 

Trial and Triumph, 

The Iron Rule, 


Cecelia Howard, 

Orphan Children,.. 5<» 

Debtor’s Daughter, 50 

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The Latimer Family; or, The Bottle and the Pledge. Illustrated,.... 
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50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 


6 00 
1 50 


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Cousin Harry, 

The above are each in 
A Marriage in High Life,.., 

Gipsy’s Daughter, 

Old Dower House, 

Belle of the Family, 

Duke and Cousin, 

The Little Wife, 

Lena Cameron, 

Sybil Lennard 

Manoeuvring Mother 


....$1 50 | The Little Beauty, $1 50 

paper cover, or in cloth, price $1.75 each. 


50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 


The Baronet’s Daughters,, 

Young Priina Donna, 

Hva cinthe, 

Alice Seymour, 

Mary Seaharn 

Passion and Principle,.... 

The Flirt, 

Good Society, 

Lion-Hearted, 


50 

50 

25 

25 

75 

75 

75 

75 

75 


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20 T. B. PETERSON & BROTHERS’ PUBLICATIONS. 


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Japhet in Search of a Father,.. 50 

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Pacha of Many Tales, 50 

Frank Mildinay, Naval Officer, 50 

Snarleyow, . 50 


Newton Forster, 

King’s Own 

Pirate and Three Cutters,. 

Peter Simple, 

Percival Keene, 

Poor Jack, 

Sea King, 


5® 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 


REV OLUTION AR Y STORIES. 


The Brigand, 50 

Ralph Runnion, 50 

Seven Brothers of Wyoming,.. 50 

The Rebel Bride, 50 

The Flying Artillerist, 50 

Wau-nan-gee, 50 


Old Put; or, Days of 1776, 50 

Legends of Mexico, 50 

Grace Dudley, 50 

The Guerilla Chief, 75 

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do. do. cloth, 1 75 


J. E. SMITH’S WORKS. 

The Usurer’s Victim; or, I Adelaide Waldegrave; or, the 
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WILLIAM HARRISON AINSWORTH’S WORKS. 


Life of Jack Sheppard, 5.0 

Life of Guy Fawkes, 75 

Court of the Stuarts, 75 

Windsor Castle, 75 

The Star Chamber, 75 

Old St. Paul’s, 75 

Court of Queen Anne, 50 


Life of Dick Turpin, 50 

Life of Davy Crockett, 50 

Life of Grace O’Malley, 50 

Desperadoes of the NewW orld, 50 

Life of Henry Thomas, 25 

Life of Ninon De L’Enclos,.... 25 
Life of Arthur Spring, 25 


Tiie Tower of London, with 93 illustrations, paper cover, $1.50, cloth, 2 50 

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Lives of Jack Sheppard and Guy Fawkes, in one volume, cloth, 1 75 

GUSTAVE AIMARD’S FRONTIER STORIES. 

Trapper’s Daughter, 75 

The Tiger Slayer, 75 

The Gold Seekers, 75 

The Rebel Chief, 75 

The Border Rifles, 75 

Pirates of the Prairies, 75 


The Prairie Flower, 

50 

The Indian Scout, 


The Trail Hunter, 


The Indian Chief, 

75 

The Red Track 


The White Scalper, 


The Freebooters, 



ELLEN PICKERING’S EXQUISITE NOVELS. 


Poor Cousin, 50 

Orphan Niece, 5<* 

Kate Walsingham, 50 


The Grumbler, 

Marrying for Money,. 
Who Shall be Heir?... 


Ellen Wareham, 38 The Squire, 


75 

75 

38 

3S 


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Lewis Arundel, 1 00 I Torn Racquet, 75 

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Harry Coverdale’s Courtship, 1 75 | Lorrimer Littlegood, 1 75 

The above are each in cloth, or in paper cover, price $1.50 each. 

The Colville Family. By author of “ Frank Fairlegh,” 50 

SEQUEL TO “ DICKENS’ MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD.” 

JOHN JASPER’S SECRET. Being the sequel to Charles Dickens ’ novel 
of 11 The Mystery of Edioin Drood." By Charles Dickens, Jr., and Wil- 
kie Collins. With eighteen full page illustrative engravings, on tinted 
paper, of the principal scenes and personages in the novel. No set of 
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morocco cloth, or in red vellum. Price $1.50. 


THE LAMPLIGHTER’S STORY. BY CHARLES DICKENS. 


This volume contains, besides “The Lamplighter’s Story,” his Prize 
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Christmas Tree; A Child’s Dream of a Star, and several other Nov- 
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price $1.50. 

LIVES OF NOTED HIGHWAYMEN, ETC. 


Life of John A. Murrel, 50 

Life of Joseph T. Hare, 50 

Life of Col. Monroe Edwards, . 50 

Life of Jack Sheppard, 50 

Life of Jack Rann, 50 

Life of Dick Turpin, 50 

Life of Helen Jewett, 50 

Desperadoes of the New World, 50 

Mysteries of New Orleans, 50 

The Robber’s Wife, 50 

Obi; or, Three Fingered Jack, 50 

Kit Clayton, 50 

Life of Tom Waters, 50 

Nat Blake, 50 

Bill Horton, 50 

Galloping Gus, 50 

Life & Trial of Antoine Probst, 50 

Ned Hastings, 50 

Eveleen Wilson, 50 

Diary of a Pawnbroker, 50 

Silver and Pewter, 50 

Sweeney Todd, 50 

Life of Grace O’Malley, 50 


Life of Davy Crockett, 50 

Life of Sybil Grej', 50 

Life of Jonathan Wild, 25 

Life of Henry Thomas, 25 

Life of Arthur Spring, 25 

Life of Jack Ketch, 25 

Life of Ninon De L’Enclos, 25 

Lives of the Felons, 25 

Life of Mrs. Whipple, 25 

Life of Biddy Woodhull, 25 

Life of Mother Brownrigg, 25 

Dick Parker, the Pirate, 25 

Life of Mary Bateman, 25 

Life of Captain Blood, 25 

Capt. Blood and the Beagles,.. 25 

Sixteen-Stringed Jack’s Fight 

for Life, 25 

Highwayman’s Avenger, 25 

Life of Raoul De Surville, 25 

Life of Rody the Rover, 25 

Life of Galloping Dick, 25 

Life of Guy Fawkes, 75 

Vidocq, the French Detective, 75 


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GEORGE LIPPARD’S WEIRD STORIES. 


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Paul Ardenheim, 1 50 

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The Legends of the American 
Revolution; or, Washington 

and his Generals, 1 50 

Mysteries of Florence, 1 00 

Above in cloth at $2.00 each. 


The Empire City, 

Memoirs of a Preacher,.... 

The Nazarene, 

Washington and his Men,. 

Legends of Mexico, 

The Entranced, 

The Robbers, 

The Bank Director’s Son, , 


SIR E. I. BULWER’S NOVELS. 

The Roue, 50 I The Courtier, 

The Oxonians, 50 1 Falkland, 

MRS. C. J. NEWBY’S GRAPHIC NOVELS. 


Sunshine and Shadow, 

Kate Kennedy, 

Vnndrnnx St.rnni?A __ 

50 

50 

50 

Trodden Down, 

Married, 

Common Sense, 

Margaret Hamilton, 50 

Right and Left, 50 

LIST OF BEST SEA 

Adventures of Ben Brace, 75 

Jack Adams, the Mutineer, 75 

Jack Ariel’s Adventures, 75 

Petrel; or, Life on the Ocean,. 75 

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Percy Effingham, 75 

Red Kim? 50 

Only Temper, 

TALES PUBLISHED. 

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Harry Helm, 

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Man-of-War’s-Man, 

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The Corsair, 

50 

The River Pirates, 

The Doomed Ship, 

50 

The Pirate’s Son, 

The Three Pirates, 

50 

Jacob Faithful, 

The Flying Dutchman, 

50 

Phantom Ship, 

The Flying Yankee, 

The Yankee Middy, 

50 

Midshipman Easy, 

50 

Pacha of Many Tales, 

The Gold Seekers, 

50 

Naval Officer, 

The King’s Cruisers, 

Life of Alexander Tardy, 

50 

Snarleyow, 

50 

Newton Forster, 

Red Wing, 

60 

King’s Own, 

Yankee Jack, 

Yankees in Japan, 

50 

Japhet, 

50 

Pirate and Three Cutters, 

Morgan, the Buccaneer, 

50 

Peter Simple, 

Jack Junk, 

50 

Percival Keene, 

Davis, the Pirate, 

50 

Poor Jack, 

Sea King, 

Valdez, the Pirate, 

Harry Tempest, 

50 

50 


75 

75 

75 

75 

50 

25 

25 

25 


25 

25 


50 

60 

50 

50 


50 

50 

50 

50 

25 

25 

25 

25 

25 

25 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 


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T. B. PETERSON & BROTHERS’ PUBLICATIONS. 23 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


Ivanhoe, 

Rob Roy, 



Guv Manncring, 


The Antiquary, 


Old Mortality, 

... 25 

Heart of Mid Lothian, 


Bride of Lammermoor, 


Waverley, 


St. Ronan’s Well, 

... 25 

Kenilworth, 

... 25 

The Pirate, 


The Monastery, 

... 25 

The Abbot, 

... 25 

The Fortunes of Nigel, 

... 25 


Above edition is the cheapest in 
volumes, price 25 cents each, or Five 


Life of Napoleon, cloth, 2 50 

Moredun. A Tale of 1210, 50 

Tales of a Grandfather, 25 


SIR WALTER SCOTT. 


The Betrothed, 25 

Peveril of the Peak, 25 

Quentin Dunvard, 25 

lied Gauntlet, .* 25 

The Talisman, 25 

Woodstock, 25 

Highland Widow, etc., 25 

The Fair Maid of Perth, 25 

Anne of Geierstein, 25 

Count Robert of Paris, 25 

The Black Dwarf and Legend 

of Montrose, 25 

Castle Dangerous, and Sur- 
geon’s Daughter, 25 

world, and is complete in twerity-six 
Dollars for the complete set. 

History of Scotland, cloth, 2 50 

Scott’s Poetical Works, cloth,.. 2 50 
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“NEW NATIONAL EDITION” OF WAVERLEY NOVELS. 

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Price of a set, in Black cloth, in five volumes, $15 00 

“ u Full sheep, Library style, 17. 50 

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WORKS AT 25 CENTS. BY BEST AUTHORS. 

The Nobleman’s Daughter,... 
Ghost Stories. Illustrated,..., 
Ladies’ Science of Etiquette,... 

The Abbey of Innisrnoyle, 

Gliddon’s Ancient Egypt. 

Philip in Search of a Wife 

Raoul De Survillc. By Sue,... 

Rifle Shots 

Body the Rover, 

The Sower’s Reward, 

The Courtier. By Bulwer 

Train’s Speech to the Fenians, 
Illustrated 


Life of Ninon De L’Enclos,.... 25 

Aunt Margaret’s Trouble, 25 

The Woman in Grey, 25 

The Deformed, 25 

The Two Priui a Donnas, 25 

The Mysterious Marriage, 


25 


Jack Downing’s Letters, 25 

The Mysteries of a Convent,... 

Rose Warrington, 

The Iron Cross 

Charles Ransford, 


25 

25 

25 

25 


The Mysteries of Bedlam 25 

Madison’s Exposition of Odd Fellowship. 

The Iniquities and Barbarities Practiced at Rome in the 19th Century, 

Comic Life of Billy Vidkins, with M2 Illustrations, v<-rv funny, 

Train’s Union Speeches in England during the Civil War in America, 


25 

25 

25 

25 

25 

25 

25 

25 

25 

25 

25 

25 

25 

25 

25 

25 


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24 T. B. PETERSON & BROTHERS’ PUBLICATIONS 


LANGUAGES WITHOUT A MASTER. 

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WORKS AT 75 CENTS. BY BEST AUTHORS. 

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Cyrilla; or, The Mysterious Engagement. By the author of “ The 

Initials.” Cloth, $1.00; or bound in paper cover, for 

Webster and Havne’s Speeches in Reply to Colonel Foote, 

Roanoke; or, Where is Utopia? By C. H. Wiley. Illustrated,. 


Consuelo. By George Sand,... 75 

Countess of Rudolstadt, 75 

75 
75 


The Woman of Honor,. 

The Banditti of the Prairie,... 

Tom Racquet 75 

75 
75 
75 
75 


Salathiel, by Croly, 

Red Indians of Newfoundland, 

Ned Musgrave 

Aristocracy, 

Popping the Question, 75 

------- 75 

75 


Paul Periwinkle, 

The Inquisition in Spain,. 

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Leyton Hall. By Mark Lemon, 75 


Flirtationsin America. 

The Red Court Farm, 

Marrying for Money, 

Dickens’s Holiday Stories, 

The Coquette, 

Thackeray's Irish Sketch Book, 

Whitehall, 

The Beautiful Nun, 

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Genevra. By Miss Fairfield,.. 
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New Hope; or, the Rescue, 

Nothing to Say,. 


Hans Breitmann’s Party. With other Ballads. By Charles G. Lcland, 
Hans Breitmann In Church, with other Ballads. By C. G. Lcland, 
Hans Breitmann about Town, with other Ballads. By C. G. l.eland, 
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Lardner’s One Thousand and Ten Things Worth Knowing, 

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Knowlson’s Complete Cow and Cattle Doctor, 

The Complete Kitchen and Fruit Gardener, 

The Complete Florist and Flower Gardener 


75 

75 


75 

75 

75 

75 

75 

75 

75 

75 

75 

75 

75 

75 

75 

75 

75 

75 

75 

75 

75 

75 

75 


50 

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25 

25 

25 

25 


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Magnum Bonum Pen. Price per dozen, 75 cents, per gross $8 00 

These pens are recommended to all. being preferred to the old-fashioned 
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T B. PETERSON & BROTHERS’ PUBLICATIONS. 25 


WORKS AT 50 CENTS. 

Love at First Sight 50 

Leah ; or the Forsaken 50 

The Greatest Plague of Life,.. 50 

Clifford and the Actress, 50 

The Two Lovers, 50 

The Orphans and Caleb Field,. 50 

The Woman in Red, 50 

Life of Jack Sheppard, 50 

Life of Grace O’Malley, 50 

The Diary of a Pawnbroker,... 50 

Moreton Hall, 50 

Female Life in New York, 50 

Agnes Grey, 50 

Diary of a Physician, 50 

The Emigrant Squire, 50 

The Monk, by Lewis, 50 

The Beautiful French Girl,... 50 

Father Clement, paper,.... 50 

do. do. cloth, 75 

The Miser’s Ileir, paper, 50 

do. do. cloth 75 

Twelve Months of Matrimony. 


BY BEST AUTHORS. 

Kate Kennedy, 

The Admiral’s Daughter, 

The American Joe Miller, 

Ella Stratford 

Josephine, by Grace Aguilar,.. 

The Fortune Hunter, 

The Orphan Sisters, 

Abednego, the Money Lender,. 
Miriam Alroy, by Disraeli... 

Jenny Ambrose, 

Bell Brandon, 

Sybil Grey, 

Train’s Union Speeches, 

The Romish Confessional 

Victims of Amusements, 

Ladies’ Work Table Book, 

Life of Antoine Prohst, 

Alioford, a Family History,.. . 
General Scott’s $5 Portrait.... 

Henry Clay’s $5 Portrait, 

Portrait of Schuyler Colfax,... 


By Emelie F. Carlen.. 


Robert Oaklands; or, the Outcast Orphan, 

Father Tom and the Pope. Illustrated. Cloth, $1 .00, or paper,. 


50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

00 

00 

50 

50 

50 

50 


GOOD BOOKS F0K EVERYBODY. 

Peterson’s Complete Coin Book, containing fac-similes of Coins 

of the World, with the U. S. Mint value of each coin $1 00 

Life of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza, paper $1.00; or in cloth, 1 75 

Whitefriars ; or, the Days of Charles the Second, paper 75 cents, cloth 1 00 
Prof. Julien’s Farewell Musical Alburn for the million, full of music, 1 00 

Southern Life; or, Inside Views of Slavery, 1 00 

The Rich Men of Philadelphia. Income Tax List of Pe.-idents, 1 00 

Woman and her Diseases. Causes and treatment. By Dr. Morrell, 1 00 
Childbirth. Its pains lessened and its perils obviated. Showing that 
the pains ofchildb : rtk may be mitigated, if not entirely prevented, 1 00 


MILITARY AND ARMY BOOKS. 


Ellsworth’s Zouave Drill, 

U. S. G ivernment Infantry & 
Rifle Tactics, 


25 U. S. Light Infantry Drill, 
The Soldier's Companion,., 
25 The Soldier’s Guide 


25 

25 

25 


DR. HOLLICK’S WORKS. 

Dr. Hoi lick’s great work on the Anatomy and Physiology of the 
Human Figure, with colored dissected plates of the Human Figure, $2 00 
Dr. Hollick’s Family Physician, a Pocket Guide for Everybody, 25 


Above Books will be sent, postage paid, on receipt of Retail Prioe, 
by T. B. Peterson & Brothers, Philadelphia, Pa. 


28 T. B. PETERSON & BROTHERS’ PUBLICATIONS. 


MILITARY NOVELS. BY BEST AUTHORS. 

With Illuminated Military Covers, in five Colors. 


Jack Hinton, the Guardsman, 

‘ The Knight of Gwynne, 

Harry Lorrequer, 

Tom Burke of Ours, 

Arthur O’Leary, 

Con Cregan, 

Kate O’Donoghue, 

Horace Templeton, 

Davenport Dunrj, 

Jack Adams’ Adventures, 

Valentine Vox, Ventriloquist,. 

Twin Lieutenants, 

Stories of Waterloo, 


75 The Soldier’s Wife, 

75 Guerilla Chief, 

75 The Three Guardsmen, 

75 Twenty Years After, 

75 Bragelonne, Son of Athos, 

75 , Tom Bowling’s Adventures,... 

75 Massacre of Glencoe, 

75 Life of Guy Fawkes, 

75 ! Child of Waterloo, 

75 | Adventures of Ben Brace, 

75 , Life of Jack Ariel, 

75 i Following the Drum, 

75 1 


75 

75 

75 

75 

75 

75 

75 

75 

75 

75 

75 

50 


LIVES OP GENERALS AND OTHER NOTED MEN. 

The Lives of U. S. Grant and Hon. Henry Wilson. This book is a 
complete History of the Lives of General Ulysses S. Grant, and of 
the Hon. Henry Wilson. It contains life-like Portraits of General 
Ulysses S. Grant, and of the Hon. Henry Wilson, and other Illus- 
trative Engravings. Price One Dollar in cloth, or in paper cover, 75 
Moore’s Life of Hon. Schuyler Colfax. By Bev. A. Y. Moore, of 
South Bend. With a Fine Steel Portrait. One vol. cloth. Price 1 50 
The Lives of Grant and Colfax. With life-like portraits of each, and 


other engravings. Cloth, $1.00 ; or in paper cover, 75 

Illustrated Life, Speeches, Martyrdom and Funeral of President 
Abraham Lincoln. Cloth, $1.75; or in paper cover, 1 50 


The Impeachment and Trial of Andrew Johnson, cheap paper cover 
edition, price 50 cents, or a finer edition, bound in cloth, price ....1 50 
Trial of the Assassins and Conspirators for the murder of President 
Abraham Lincoln. Cloth, $1.50 ; or cheap edition in paper cover, 50 
Life, Battles, Reports, and Public Services of General George B. 

McClellan. Price in paper cover, 50 cents, or in cloth 75 

Life and Services of General Sheridan. Cloth, $1.00: or in paper,.. 75 

The Life and Speeches of Andrew Johnson. Cloth, $1.00; orin paper. 75 
Lives of Seymour and Blair. Price 50 cents in paper, or in cloth,... 75 

Life and Services of General George G. Meade, Hero of Gettysburg, 25 


Life and Services of General B. F. Butler, Hero of New Orleans, 25 

Life of Archbishop Hughes, first Archbishop of New York, 25 


LIEBIG’S WORKS OK CHEMISTRY. 

Agricultural Chemistry, 25 I Liebig’s celebrated Letters on 

Animal Chemistry, 25 I the Potato Disease, 25 

Liebig’s Complete Works on Chemistry, is also issued in one large 
octavo volume, bound in cloth. Price Two Dollars. 


Above Books will be sent, postage paid, on receipt of Retail Price 
by T. B. Peterson & Brothers, Philadelphia, Pa. 


T. B. PETERSON AND 



306 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, 

Desire to direct the close attention of all lovers of good novel reading to the 
works and authors contained in their new catalogue, just issued. A strict scrutiny is 
solicited, because the books enumerated in it are among the most popular now" 
in existence. In supplying your wants and taste in the reading line, it is of the first 
importance that you should give special attention to what is popularly designated en- 
tertaining reading matter. No library is either attractive or complete without a col- 
lection of novels and romances. The experience of many years has demonstrated 
that light reading is essential to even the most studious men and women, furnishing 
the mind with healthful recreation ; while to the young, and to those that have not 
cultivated a taste for solid works of science, it forms one of the best possible training 
schools, gradually establishing, in a pleasant manner, that habit of concentration of 
thought absolutely necessary to read understandingly the more ponderous works, 
which treat of political economy, the sciences, and of the arts. 

We publish and sell at very low rates, full and varied editions of the works of 
all the famous American and Foreign Novelists, whose writings are very entertain- 
ing, specially adapted for all readers. The most of them are bound in strong cloth 
binding, and also in paper covers. Examination is asked for our editions of the 
writings of Mrs. Emma D. E. N. Southworth, whose romances are always in 
demand; Mrs. Ann S. Stephens, the well-known favorite ; Mrs. Henry Wood, 
the authoress of “ East Lynne ; ” Mrs. Caroline Lee Hentz, whose stories of 
Southern life stand unparalleled in their simple truth and exquisite beauty ; Mrs. C. 
A. Warfield, another very popular Southern writer; Miss Eliza A. Dupuy, who 
has made a wonderful mark ; Mrs. F. H. Burnett, the authoress of “ Theo ; ” the 
charming and pathetic French and Russian romances of Henry Greville; the 
wonderful and famous fictions of Gustave F laubert ; the brilliant and artistic works 
of Octave Feuillet ; the highly finished and powerful stories of Ernest Daudet ; 
the popular and pleasing productions of Prosper Merimee; the beautiful and 
touching love tales of the celebrated George Sand; the clever and intensely inter- 
esting writings of Jules Sandeau; the exciting and ingenious novels of Adolphe 
Belot; the picturesque and enchaining works of Madame Angei.e Dussaud ; the 
exquisitely pathetic romances of the Princess Altieri ; the strong and graphic 
productions of Andre Theuriet ; the wild frontier sketches of Gustave Aimard ; 
the classic and refined works of Madame De Stael; the absorbing and vivid fic- 
tions of Alexander Dumas, Pere; the natural and forcible novels of Alexander 
Dumas, Fils ; the startling and mysterious romances of Eugene Sue ; the trenchant 
and unique narratives of Victor Hugo ; the realistic novels of F.mile Zola, which 
have had a sale in this country unparalleled in the history of recent book-making; 
George W. M. Reynolds, whose romances of London life, founded on facts, ar& of 
matchless interest; Sir Walter Scott, whose “ Waverley ” novels still maintain 
a strong hold on the people. Charles Dickens’ complete writings we furnish in 
every variety of style. We publish also the weird stories of George Lippard ; the 
martial novels of Charles Lever ; the comical nautical tales of Captain Makryat ; 
Emerson Bennett’s Indian stories ; Henry Cockton’s laughable narratives ; T. 
S. Arthur’s temperance tales and household stories ; the wonderful and entertain- 
ing novels of Eugene Sue and W. H. Ainsworth ; the quiet domestic novels of 
Fredrika Bremer and Ellen Pickering; the masterly novels of Wilkie Col- 
lins; Frank Fairlegh’s quaint stories, and Samuel Warren’s elaborate ro- 
mances ; the works of Mrs. C. J. Newby, Mrs. Grey, and MiSs Pardoe; W. H. 
Herbert’s sporting stories ; and the graphic Italian romances of T. A. Trollope ; 
also the fascinating writings of G. P. R. James, Mrs. S. A. Dorsey, Sir Edward 
Bulwer Lytton, James A. Maitland, The Shakspearf, Novels, Charles G. 
Leland (Hans Breitmann), Dow’s Patent Sermons, Doesticks, and PIenky 
Morford, as well as Francatelli’s, Miss Leslie’s, and all the best Cook Books ; 
Petersons' “Dollar Series of Good Novels;” Petersons’ “Sterling Series” of 
entertaining books ; Petersons’ popular “ Square nmo. Series ” of excellent stories ; 
together with hundreds of others, by the best authors in the world. 

4® & Look over our Catalogue, and enclose a Draft or Post Office Order for five, 
ten, twenty, or fifty dollars, or more, to us in a letter, and write for what books 
you wish, and on receipt of the money, or a satisfactory reference, the books will 
De packed and sent to you at once, in any way you may direct. Address all orders t« 


T. B. PETERSON & BROTHERS, Publishers, 

306 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, Pa* 


HELEN’S BABIES. 

WITH 

Some accounts of their ways innocent, crafty, angelic, impish, witching 
and repulsive. Also, a partial record of their actions 
during ten days of their existence. 

BY JOHN HABBERTON. 

With an Illustrated Cover, with Portraits of Budge and Toddie. 


“ Helen's Babies ” is famous. It contains more merriment than any other book ex- 
tant, and at the same time is wonderfully interesting. A masterpiece in every sense 
of the word, it awakens intense' admiration zvhile it produces hearty laughter. As a 
picture of child -life it is nature itself, and it could not well be otherwise, for John Hab- 
berton, Us author , made his own children sit for the portraits of Budge and Toddie , 
the refreshingly droll little heroes. The tone of the charming volume is healthful and 
vigorous , while all the incidents are bright and telling. Budge and Toddie , “ the best 
children in the world,” ai'e mischief incarnate. They are consigned to the care of their 
Uncle Harry while their parents spend a fortnight with a friend, and at once the fin 
begins. The boys demand stories , and, zvhen their uncle favors them with a biblical 
narrative, they correct him and tell him he doesn't know anything about Jonah and 
Noah and the Ark. Toddie is fearfully persistent, and, when denied anything, has a 
way of bursting into such a stor?n of tears that his wish is instantly granted. He wants 
“ to shee the wheels of his uncle's watch go wound f and has a terrible craving for candy , 
while he echoes all his brother's words, and is always getting into some difficulty or 
other. Budge is inquisitive and perplexing. He interprets Toddie' s picturesque baby 
talk, and is ever ready for a frolic. The children cause their uncle no end of worri- 
ment . Budge has a goat and a carriage to which the animal is harnessed . 
In this vehicle he meets with frequent mishaps. The boys will bestnear their gar- 
ments with mud, and their adventurous dispositions occasionally lead them into 
danger. To amuse them and keep them in order, their uncle sings them camp-meeting 
hymns and impersonates in turn bears, lions, zebras, elephants, dogs and cats. Toddie 
has a favorite song , which he invariably demands when he gets hurt, and which exer- 
cises a peculiarly soothing influence upon him. But though veritable imps, the boys are 
charming little fellows, and it is utterly impossible not to love them. They are devout 
after their own peculiar fashion , and insist upon saying prayers, some of zuhich are in- 
describably comical. Altogether, “ Helen's Babies ” is one of the most captivating sto- 
ries in existence, the courtship of Uncle Harry and Miss Mayton lending it variety and 
romance. No one can fail to be delighted with it, whether married or single, old or 
young, and all who read it will certainly enjoy a series of hearty laughs. Budge and 
Toddie are capital creations and excellent types of A merican boyhood. They will 
remain in the memory forever, for “ Helen's Babies” can never be forgotten. 


Paper Cover, 50 Cents. Morocco Cloth, Gilt and Black, $1.00. 


“Helen's Babies ” will be found for sale by all Booksellers and News Agents , 
on all Railroad Trains, and at all News Stands , or copies of it zvill be sent to any one , 
to any place , at once, per mail, post-paid, on remitting the price to the publishers, 

T. B. PETERSON & BROTHERS, Philadelphia, Pa. 


EMILE ZOLA’S NEW BOOKS 

The Greatest Novels Ever Printed . 


Read what “Mrs. Lucy H. Hooper” says of “Emile Zola’s Works,” In 
the “Philadelphia Evening 1 Telegraph.” 

The immense success of Zola forms a curious feature in the literary history of this age. For he is 
not only honored by the critics, who recognize his strength, his pitiless audacity, his positive genius, 
but he is the idol of all classes on account of the truthfulness of his delineations. Now I do not join 
with the world at large in considering Zola immoral. He is no more immoral than a physician lec- 
turing about certain phases of horror in the condition of a patient afflicted with mortal disease. 
Nobody will arise from the perusal of Zola’s books possessed with a desire to imitate the actions or to 
follow the example of his heroes and heroines. His works are not demoralizing. He never makes 
vice lovely, never paints it in alluring tints, never strews its pathway with flowers. He is simply, lit- 
erally, and pitilessly true to life in li is powerful delineations. He is a French Thackeray. The talent 
of the two men — the author of Vanity Fair and the author of the Assommoir — is almost identical, 
modified in each by the conditions of their nationality and of the society for which they wrote. Place 
Thackeray in Paris, the son of Parisian parents, and Vanity Fair will become exasperated into La 
Curce. Transfer Zola to London, and transform him into an Englishman, and he will write The Story 
of Pendennis instead of The History of the Rougon-Macquarts. Nor are Zola’s books the epheme- 
ral productions of an hour. They are immortal because they are true. Two hundred years from now, 
historians seeking to tell the tale of the France of the Second Empire and the Third Republic, will 
turn to Zola as to a gallery of photographs taken from the life. Zola is in literature what Holbein was 
in art. His immense hold over the sympathies of the lower orders was never more fully shown than 
since the production of the melodrama drawn from his novel of Nana, at the Ambigu. I w r ent on 
Saturday night list, and the throng was extraordinary. And here let it be stated, once for all, that 
Nana is not an indecent play. It is superbly put upon the stage, is admirably played, and is a very 
curious and accurate study of an important phase of Parisian life. “Nana” is simply a realistic 
“Camille.” She is a frivolous, good-hearted, conscienceless creature, and as for remorse, or aspirations 
after a purer or nobler life, such ideas never cross her brain. She holds in her vacant soul one nobler 
instinct, and that is her love for her child. In this respect Zola has been true to life as in other details. 

LIST OF EMILE ZOLA’S GREAT WORKS. 

Nana! The Sequel to “ L’ Assommoir.” Nana! By Emile Zola. With a Picture of 

u Nana ” on the cover. Price 75 cents in paper cover, or One Dollar in Cloth, Black and Gold. 

Nana's Mother; or. h* Assommoir. By Emile Zola, author of "Nana.” With a 
Picture of"Gervaise,” Nana’s mother, on the cover. Price 75 cents in paper, or One Dollar in Cloth. 

Th€r6se Raquin. By Emile Zola, author of "Nana.” With a Portrait of "Emile Zola” 
on the ccn'er. Price 75 cents in paper cover, or One Dollar in Cloth, Black and Geld. 

La Cnr£e. By Emile Zola, author of "Nana.” Price 75 cents in paper cover, or One Dollar 
in Cloth, Black and Gold. 

Magdalen Ferat. By Emile Zola, author of "Nana.” With a Picture of "Magdalen 
Ferat” on the cover. Price 75 cents in paper cover, or #1.25 in Cloth, Black and Gold. 

Florinda; or, Zola’s Court of Napoleon III. By Emile Zola, author of "Nana.” 
With a Picture of" Clorinda ” on the cover. Price 75 cents in paper cover, or $t .25 in Cloth. 

Alhine; or. The Abbe’s Temptation. (La Fante de L’Abbe Mouret.) By 

Emile Zola. With a Picture of "Alhine ” on the cover. Price 75 cents in paper, or $1.25 in Cloth. 

H£l£ne: a Love Episode; or, Une Page D’Amonr. By Emile Zola, author of 
"Nana.” With a Picture of "Helene ” on the cover. Price 75 cents in paper cover, or #1.25 in Cloth. 

The Rongon-Macqnart Family; or, Miette. (ha Fortune des Rougon.) 

By Emile Zola, author of "Nana.” Price 75 cents in paper cover, or $1.25 in Cloth. 

The Conquest of Plassans; or, ha Conquete de Plassans. By Emile Zola? 
author of "Nana.” Price 75 cents in paper cover, or $1.25 in Cloth, Black and Gold. 

The Markets of Paris; or, he Ventre de Paris. By Emile Zola, author of 
i, Nana.” Price 75 cents in paper cover, or $1.25 in Cloth, Black and Gold. 

Above Books are for sale by all Booksellers and News Agents everywhere, and on all Rail- 
Road Trains , or copies of any one book, or all of them, will be sent to any one, to any place, at once, 
p*r mail, post-paid, on remitting the price of the ones wanted in a letter to the Publishers, 

T. B. PETERSON & BROTHERS, Philadelphia, Pa. 



MRS. CAROLINE LEE HENTI’S WORKS. 

LIBRARY EDITION, IN MOROCCO CLOTH. 


12 Volumes, at $1.75 Each; or S2LOO a Set. 


T. B. PETERSON & BROTHERS , No. 3G6 Chestnut Street , Phila- 
delphia, have just published an entire new, complete , and uniform edition of 
all the celebrated Novels written by the popular American Novelist, Mrs. Car- 
oline Lee Hentz , in twelve large duodecimo volumes. They are printed on the 
finest paper, and bound in the most beautiful style , in Green Morocco cloth, 
with a new, full gilt back , and sold at the low price of $1.75 each , or $21.00 
for a full and complete set . Every Family and every Library in this country, 
should, have in it a complete set of this new and beautiful edition of the works 
of Mrs. Caroline Lee Hentz. The following is a complete list of 

MRS, CAROLINE LEE HENTZ’S WORKS. 

LINDA; op, THE YOUNG PILOT OF THE BELLE CREOLE. 

With a Complete Biography of Mrs. Caroline Lee Hentz. 
ROBERT GRAHAM. A Sequel to “Linda.” 

RENA; or, THE SNOW BIRD. A Tale of Rea! Life. 

MARCUS WARLAND ; or, The Long Moss Spring. 

ERNEST LINWOOD ; or, The Inner Life of the Author. 

EOLINE; or, MAGNOLIA VALE; or, The Heiress of Glenmore. 
THE PLANTER’S NORTHERN BRIDE ; or, Mrs. Hentz’s Childhood. 
HELEN AND ARTHUR; or, Miss Thusa’s Spinning-Wheel. 
COURTSHIP AND MARRIAGE; or, The Joys of American Life. 
LOVE AFTER MARRIAGE; and other Stories of the Heart. 

THE LOST DAUGHTER ; and other Stories of the Heart. 

THE BANISHED SOM; and other Stories of the Heart. 

Above Books are for sale by all Booksellers at $1.75 each, or $21.00/o> 
a complete set of the twelve volumes. Copies of either one of the above books, or 
a complete set of them , will be sent at once to any one , to any place, postage 
pre-paid, or free of freight , on remitting their price in a letter to the Publishers • 

T. B. PETERSON & BROTHERS, Philadelphia, Pa. 


23 Volumes, at $1.75 each; or $40.00 a Set. 


T. B. PETERSON & BROTHERS , No. 306 Chestnut Street , Philadelphia , Pa., 
have just published an entire neio , complete , and un iform edition of all the works writ - 
ten by Mrs. Ann S. Stephens , the popular American Authoress. This edition is in 
duodecimo form, is printed on the finest paper , is complete in twenty-three volumes , and 
each volume is bound in morocco cloth , with a full gilt back , and is sold at the low price 
of $1.75 each, or $40.00 for a full and complete set. Every Family and every Library 
in this country , should have in it a complete set of this new and beautiful edition of 
the works of Mrs. Ann S. Stephens. The following are the names of the volumes: 

NORSTON’S REST. THE REIGNING BELLE. 

BERTHA’S ENGAGEMENT. MARRIED IN HASTE. 

BELLEHOOD AND BONDAGE; or, Bought with a Price. 

LORD HOPE’S CHOICE; or, More Secrets Than One. 
THE OLD COUNTESS. Sequel to “Lord Hope’s Choice.” 

RUBY GRAY’S STRATEGY; or, Married by Mistake. 

PALACES AND PRISONS; or, The Prisoner of the Bastile. 

A NOBLE WOMAN ; or, A Gulf Between Them. 

THE CURSE OF GOLD; or, The Bound Girl and The Wife’s Trials. 
MABEL’S MISTAKE ; or, The Lost Jewels. 

THE OLD HOMESTEAD; or, The Pet from the Poor House. 
THE REJECTED WIFE; or, The Ruling Passion. 

THE WIFE’S SECRET; or, Gil’ian. 

THE HEIRESS; or, The Gipsy’s Legacy. 

SILENT STRUGGLES; or, Barbara Stafford. 

WIVES AND WIDOWS; or. The Broken Life. 

DOUBLY FALSE; or, Alike and Not Alike. 

THE GOLD BRICK. THE SOLDIER’S ORPHANS. 

MARY DERWENT. FASHION AND FAMINE. 

Jpg?' Above books are for sale by all Booksellers at $1.75 each, or $40.00 for a com- 
plete set of the twenty-three volumes. Copies of either one or more of the above books , 
or a complete set of them, will be sent at once to any one, to any place, postage 
prepaid , or free of freight, on remitting their price in a letter to the Publishers, 

T. B. PETERSON & BROTHERS, Philadelphia, Pa. 


PETERSONS’ NEW BOOKS 


HELEN’S BABIES. By John Habberton. HELEN’S BABIES. With Illustrated 
Cover aucl Portraits of Budge and Toddie. Price 50 cents in paper, cloth, $1.00. 

lERTHA’S BABY. Equal to “Helen's Babies ." BERTHA’S BABY. With an Illus- 
trated Cover and Portrait of “ Bertha’s Baby.” Paper, 50 cents, cloth, $1.00. 

THE INITIALS. A. Z. By the Baroness Tautphceus. Paper, 75 cents, cloth, $1.25. 

SABINE’S FALSEHOOD. A Charming Love Story. By the Princess Olga. Trans- 
lated by Mary Neal Sherwood. Price 75 cents in paper cover, or $1.00 in cloth. 

NANA. • By Emile Zola. NANA. An Entire New Edition. NANA. With an Illus- 
trated Cover and Portraits of Nana and others. Paper, 75 cents, or $1.00 in cloth. 

NANA’S DAUGHTER. Sequel to Emile Zola’s novel of “ NANA.” With an Illus- 
trated Cover and Portraits. Price 75 cents in paper cover, or $1.00 in cloth. 

NANA’S MOTHER: or, J/ASSOMMOIR. By Emile Zola. With Illustrated Cover 
and Portraits of Nana’s Mother and others. Paper cover, 75 cents, or $1.00 in cloth. 

A PRINCE OF BREFFNY. By Thomas P. May , author of “ The Earl of Mayfield.” 
One volume, duodecimo, library style, cloth, black and gold. Price $1.50. 

THE BRIDAL EVE. By Mrs. Southworth. Illustrated. Paper cover, price 75 cents. 

MONSIEUR, MADAME AND THE BABY. Paper cover, 75 cents, cloth, $1.00. 

PAUL HART; or, THE LOVE OF HIS LIFE. Paper cover, 75 cents, cloth, $1.25. 

HISTORY OF A PARISIENNE. By Octave Feuillet. Paper, 50 cents, cloth, $1.00. 

THE EXILES. A Russian Story. Price 75 cents in paper cover, or $1.00 in cloth. 

MILDRED’S CADET; or, HEARTS & BELL-BUTTONS. Paper, 75 cents, cloth, $1.00, 

MY HERO. By Mrs. Forrester. Paper cover, 75 cents, or $1.00 in cloth. 

CAMILLE ; or, THE FATE OF A COQUETTE. Paper cover, 75 cents, cloth, $1.25. 

D0SIA. By Henry Greville. Paper cover, 75 cents, or $1.25 in cloth. 

VID0CQ! THE FRENCH DETECTIVE. Illustrated. Paper, 75 cents, cloth, $1.00. 

THE EARL OF MAYFIELD. Paper cover, 75 cents, cloth, $1.00, library style, $1.50. 

MAJOR JONES’S COURTSHIP. Author’s New and Enlarged Edition. With 21 full 
page illustrations by Darley and Cary. Paper cover, 75 cents, cloth, $1.00. 

MADAME BOVARY. By Gustave Flaubert. Paper, 75 cents, cloth, $1.00. 

MAJOR JONES’S TRAVELS. With eight full page illustrations by Darley. By 
author of “Major Jones's Courtship." Paper cover, 75 cents; cloth, $1.00. 

THE WOMAN IN BLACK. A Society Novel. Paper cover, 75 cents, or $1.00 in cloth. 

MAJOR JONES'S GEORGIA SCENES. With 12 full page illustrations by Darley. 
By author of “Major Jones's Courtship." Paper cover, 75 cents ; cloth, $1.00. 

LINDA. By Caroline Lee Hentz. Paper cover, 75 cents, or $1.25 in cloth. 

RANCY COTTEM’S COURTSHIP. With 8 full page illustrations. By author of 
“Major Jones's Courtship." Paper cover, 50 cents; or in cloth, $1.00. 

SIMON SUGGS’ ADVENTURES. Illustrated by Darley. Paper, 75 cents, cloth, $1.00. 

LOUISIANA SWAMP DOCTOR. Illustrated by Darley. Paper, 75 cents, cloth, $1.00. 

THE COUNT DE CAMORS. By Octave Feuillet. Paper, 75 cents, or $1.25 in cloth. 

KATHLEEN! TKEO ! MISS CRESPIGNY ! PRETTY POLLY PEMBERTON! and 
A QUIET LIFE ! By Mrs. Burnett. Paper, 50 cents each, cloth, $1.00 each. 

The above works arc for sale by all Booksellers and at all News Siand 3 everywhere 

and on all Bail-Road Trains, or copies of any one , or all of them, will be sent to ary one 

to anyplace , per mail, post-paid, on remitting the price of the ones wanted to the Publishers! 

T. B. BBT JEMS ON & BMOTHEMS, Philadelphia* Ba ♦ 


4~g=* “ It will save many dollars .”— Lynn (Mass.) Reporter: 

GET UP CLUBS FOR 18821 CHEAPEST AND BESTII 


PETERSON’S MAGAZINE 


jrg^oThese different premi- 
ums will be given fox* dif- 
ferent Clubs (see below) or all 
three will be given for cer- 
tain large Clubs (see below). 


I. “HUSH! DON’T WAKE THEM.’’ 

II. PHOTOGRAPH ALBUM, GILT. 

HI. EXTEA COPY 0? MAGAZINE,- 1382. 


4SP A Supplement will be given in even/ number for 1882, containing a full-size pattern for a 
lady's or child's dress. Every subscriber w U receive, during the year , twelve if these puiierus, worth 
more, alone, according to the newspapers, than the entire subscription price. 


“Peterson’s Magazine” contains, every year, 1000 pages, 14 steel plates, 12 colored Berlin 
patterns, 12 mammoth colored fashion p at< s. 24 pages of music, and about 000 wood cuts. Its princi- 
pal embellishments are — what no other magazine gives — - 

S «.j> §z-h 

Its immense circulation enables its proprietor to spend more on embellishments, stories, etc. 
than any other. It gives more for the money, and combines more merits, than any in the world. It 
is famous for its 

SPLENDIDLY ILLUSTRATED ARTICLES, 

BEST ORIGINAL TALES AND NOVELETS, 
COLORED WORK-TABLE PATTERNS, &c. 

All the most poovhxr writers are employe l to wide originally far “Peterson” In 1882 FIVE 
ORIGINAL COPYRIGHT NOVELETS will be given, by Ann S. Stephens, by Frank Lee Benedict, by 
Jane G. Austin, by the author of “ Jos.ah Allen’s Wife,” by Lucy II. Hooper, and by Mrs. E. L. 
Cushing. It gives 



Ahead of all others. The«e plates are engraved on steel, twice the usuai. size, and are unequalled 
for beauty. They will be superbly colored. Also, household and other receipts; and articles ou 
everything interesting to ladies, viz.: the garden, home decoration, new stitches in embroidery, 
etc., etc. 


TERMS (Always in Advaace) $2.00 A YEAR. 
^UNPARALLELED OFFERS TO CLUBS.^ 

With a copy of the premium picture (20 x 1 fi) a costly steel engraving , 
“I’u-H, Don’t Wake Them,” or a Handsome Photograph Album, 
yi.lt, to the pei-sou getting up the club. 

With an extra copy of the Magazine for 1882, as a premium, to the 
person getting up the club. 

IV th both an extra copy of the Magazine for 1882, and the premium 
picture, or Photograph Album, to the person getting up the club. 

FQE LARGER CLUB® STILL GREATER INDUCEMENT®! 

Address, post-paid, 

CHARLES J. PETERSON, 

306 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 

J$5~Specimens sent gratis, if written for, to get up clubs with. 


2 Copies for S3. 50 

3 “ “ 4.50 

4 Copies for S6. 50 
6 “ “ 9.00 


5 Copies for @3.00 
7 “ “ 10.50 




Mrs. Emma D. E. H. Southwortli’s Hew Book. 

THE BRED AX. EVE; 

OR, ROSE ELMER. 

BY MRS. E. D. E. K. SOUTH WORTH. 

One Volume, Square 12mo. Paper Cover. Price Seventy-five Cents. 


“ The Bridal Eve : or, Ro.^e Elmer," one of Mrs. Emma D. E. At. Southworth's best and most 
thrilling love stories, is just published by T. B. Peterson Brothers , Philadelphia , in their square 
tamo.fotm that has become so popular among all novel readers. Mrs. South-worth confessedly over- 
shadows every other American fiction writer , and there has long been a demand for her novels at a 
price within the reach of all. This demand is now met by the issuing oj “ The Bridal Eve "for 
the small sum of seventy-five cents a copy. Of course , this really excellent and absorbing romance 
will meet with an extended sale in its present shape, and it is needless to say that all who read it 
will find in it ample food for both wonder and admiration The story has great strength and in- 
genuity, while every one of the many stirring incidents with which it is crowded has a charm and 
an excitement peculiarly its own. The scene is laid chiefly in London. There are two heroines , both 
noble specimens of womanhood, whose trials and adventures cannot fail to rivet attention and excite 
sympathy . A nobleman is murdered, and an innocent man is nearly brought to the gallows for the 
crime. Faithful lovers suffer for the misdeeds of faithless ones, while plotters do their best to sac- 
rifice others for their own profit. “ The Bridal Eve ” is a marvel of inventive skill. 


COMPLETE LIST OF MBS. SOUTHWORTH’S WORKS. 

Mrs. Southworth' s- IVorks are complete in forty-three volumes , bound in morocco cloth, 
gilt back , library style, price $1.75 each , or $75.25 a set , each set in a neat box . 

Ishmael ; or, In the Depths. Being “ Self-Made.” 

Self-Raised ; or, From the Depths. Sequel to “ Ishmael.” 


The Fatal Marriage. 

The Deserted Wife. 

Love’s Labor Won. 

A Noble Lord. 

The Lost Heir of Linlithgow. 
The Artist’s Love. 

The Gipsy’s Prophecy. 

The Three Beauties. 

Vivia; or, the Secret of Power. 
The Two Sisters. 

The Missing Bride. 

The Wife’s Victory. 

The Motker-in-Law. 

The Haunted Homestead. 

The Lady of the isle. 

Allworth Abbey. 

Retribution. 

The Curse of Clifton. 

The Discarded Daughter. 

The Mystery of Dark Hollow. 
The Phantom Wedding. 

Copies of any one work , or more , or a complete set of “Airs. Southwortti s 
IVorks will be sent to any one , to any address , at once , free of freight or postage , on 
emitting $1.75 for each one wanted , to T. B. Peterson & Brothers , Philadelphia , Pa, 

Address all orders and remittances to the Publishers, 

T. B. PETERSON & BROTHERS, Philadelphia, Pa. 


The Fortune Seeker. 

The Lost Heiress. 

Tried for Her Life. 

Cruel as the Grave. 

The Maiden Widow. 

The Family Doom. 

The Bride s Fate. 

The Changed Brides. 

Bair Play. 

How He Won Her. 

Victor’s Triumph. 

A Beautiful Fiend. 

The Spectre Lover. 

The Prince of Darkness. 

The Christmas Guest. 
Fallen Pride. 

The Widow s Son. 

The Bride of Llewellyn. 

The Fatal Secret. 

The Bridal Eve. 

India ; Pearl of Pearl River. 



































